The UK government’s decision to raise the minimum income threshold for getting a spouse visa is "forcing academics and innovators to leave the country", says an Oxford MP.

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, criticised the government for investing taxpayer's money into the education and training of highly talented researchers and then enforcing immigration policies that necessitate their departure.

In December, the government announced plans to increase the earnings threshold a citizen must meet for their partner to obtain a spouse visa.

This move is thought to aid the government in its endeavour to reduce immigration.

The threshold is set to surge from £18,600 to £29,000 come spring, with propositions to increase it to £38,700 by early 2025.

Ms Moran said: "The Government's recent spouse visa policy to increase the salary threshold is forcing academics and innovators to leave."

She then went on to talk about a constituent of hers, a soon-to-be Oxford PhD graduate funded by UK Research and Innovation.

The man's wife, also a PhD, is an American who "cannot live with him because the job he has been offered will be paid well below the salary threshold".

Ms Moran added: "Can the minister explain, why is this Government using taxpayer money to educate people to become highly qualified researchers if its immigration policy then forces them to leave?"

In response, science minister Andrew Griffith said: "A fair immigration policy is absolutely part of an open Britain.

"And it's right that those who are coming here from overseas, living cheek by jowl with those who clean their labs, who drive their local buses, empty their bins, make their fair share and contribution to the UK economy."

The Commons also heard that the UK government has taken over some of the Welsh government's broadband contracts, as it deemed itself "better placed to deliver them."

Culture minister Julia Lopez added: "We have taken the Welsh Government contracts in-house because we think we’re better placed to deliver them."

However, a Welsh Government spokesperson refuted these claims, saying: “This is not correct. We have not handed over any broadband contracts to the UK Government – digital connectivity and telecommunications policy is the responsibility of the UK Government.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) added: "Last year the UK Government agreed with the Welsh Government to transfer responsibility for Project Gigabit in Wales back to Building Digital UK."

They further assured that said transition hadn't affected roll-out schedules.