Global Talent Taskforce: UK Government to Attract Tech & Science Workers

The Global Talent Taskforce is set to follow the plans outlined in the Immigration White Paper – to broaden the range of “high-potential” institutions and to accelerate visa pathways for key sectors like artificial intelligence (AI) and life sciences.
 

The Global Talent Taskforce is a newly formed government unit reporting directly to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The Taskforce's core mission is to identify and attract global talent in key areas such as science, technology, engineering, and innovation. This initiative comes as part of the government’s broader plan to launch a 10-year Industrial Strategy, reflecting a renewed commitment to economic growth, research, and long-term investment in the UK knowledge economy.
 

The British Government has made it clear that this strategy is not just about creating world-leading innovation, but also about bringing the people who can deliver it into the country.

The Global Talent Taskforce will be responsible for:

• Developing fast-tracked pathways to help international researchers, scientists, engineers, and innovators relocate to the UK.
   
• Recommending visa process improvements for global talent, including potential reforms to routes such as the Skilled Worker visa, High Potential Individual visa, Global Talent visa, and others.
   
• Identifying barriers to talent mobility and streamlining relocation support.
   
• Coordinating with research institutions, universities, and employers to ensure the UK remains competitive for top international minds.

At the heart of this announcement is the new £54 million Global Talent Fund, designed to support the relocation and research costs of incoming talent. Administered via UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the fund will operate through various competitive schemes such as:

• Turing AI Fellowships
• Faraday Discovery Fellowships
• Encode: AI for Science
• Green Future Fellowships
   

In addition to the main fund, the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering are expected to allocate up to £30 million and £150 million respectively in associated fast-track grants, amplifying the reach of this initiative. This strong, coordinated funding strategy underscores the government’s commitment to becoming a magnet for high-potential individuals and innovators across disciplines.

While this announcement introduces new funding and strategic planning around innovation, it also sends a broader signal: the UK immigration system is evolving to make space for top international talent. This is a strong message for scientists, engineers, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs that the British government is actively pursuing strategies to attract, retain, and empower global expertise.
 

It reinforces the importance of multiple established visa routes, including:

• Skilled Worker visas for qualified professionals sponsored by UK employers.
• Innovator Founder visas for those looking to launch transformative ventures.
• Global Talent visas for recognised leaders or emerging leaders in science, engineering, humanities, medicine, and the arts.
• High Potential Individual visas for recent graduates of top universities.
   

At Nation.better, we help UK businesses tap into global talent by guiding them through Skilled Worker visa Sponsorship. As the government pushes forward on expanding access for researchers and elite talent, it is equally essential for growing UK businesses to understand their opportunities to recruit skilled international candidates under the sponsorship system.

The launch of the Global Talent Taskforce and the UK's renewed investment in science and technology present a major opportunity for employers to access international expertise. While high-level research fellowships and innovation grants are a core part of this strategy, the Skilled Worker visa remains the most accessible and practical route for most UK businesses seeking to hire international professionals.
 

In-demand roles in IT, AI, engineering, life sciences, cybersecurity, biotech, and clean energy can all be filled through the Skilled Worker visa route, provided the employer holds a sponsor licence. This visa route supports long-term employment, provides a pathway to settlement, and allows businesses to scale with confidence.
 

The creation of the Taskforce signals that the UK is proactively opening doors to highly skilled workers from around the world—not just for academic or research fellowships, but also for employers who need practical, project-based talent to drive growth.
 

UK businesses should look into:

• Assessing future hiring needs in strategic sectors.
   
• Securing a Sponsor Licence if they don't already have one.
   
• Building workforce plans around available immigration routes — e.g., the Skilled Worker visa.