United Kingdom: Britain is all set to introduce fast track visas for qualified doctors, nurses, scientists, and researchers from all around the world, including India, to address the skills shortage, as part of the government’s plans to attract more elite personnel after Brexit.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, won the approval for his Brexit deal in parliament last week, pledged in August to relax immigration rules for scientists to help Britain address its skills shortages.

The Interior Minister, Priti Patel, said,

“The number of eligible fellowships which offer an accelerated endorsement for visas will rise to more than 120 from 62. We want to make sure the UK continues to be at the forefront of innovation, so we need an immigration system that attracts the sharpest minds from around the globe.”

The UK government on Thursday confirmed plans, and Minister Boris Johnson had made references to such a new so-called “National Health Service visa” (NHS) on the election campaign trail, which was confirmed as part of the Queen’s Speech in Parliament on Thursday.

The Queen’s speech notes,

“Steps will be taken to grow and support the National Health Service’s workforce, and a new visa will ensure qualified doctors, nurses, and health professionals have fast track entry to the United Kingdom. A modern, fair, points-based immigration system will welcome skilled workers from across the world to contribute to the United Kingdom’s economy, communities, and public services”.

The Queen’s Speech covered a broad range of government plans, with the 31st January 2020 Brexit deadline at the heart of the agenda,

“Ministers will seek a future relationship with the European Union based on a free trade agreement that benefits the whole of the United Kingdom. They will also begin trade negotiations with other leading global economies”.

They have also set an ambitious environmental agenda for the UK, which includes a ban on the export of polluting plastic waste to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and establish a new world-leading independent regulator in the statute. India was among the countries that received some of the UK’s plastic waste until it brought in law earlier this year to work towards ending that practice.

Britain is due to leave the European Union on January 31st, although it will immediately begin an 11 month, no change transition period with the bloc.