The Coalition’s plans to bring down annual net inward migration into the “tens of thousands” is running into some well organised, influential lobbying from business and academic organisations who complain of the impact this will have on the UK’s competitiveness. It is neither equitable or efficient for highly paid (often under-performing) footballers to be given an exemption under the migrant cap but not for skilled scientists from non-EU countries who may well become the distinguished future leaders of our scientific community. This report last night on Newsnight by BBC Science Editor Susan Watts makes the argument clearly and persuasively. Migrant controls damage the supply-side potential of the economy.