POLITICIANS from every Holyrood party have condemned the UK Government after it blocked plans to hand international graduates the right to stay in Scotland.

A Scottish Parliament cross party group considering post-study work, which includes senior Conservative MSP Liz Smith, has written to immigration minister James Brokenshire to express its "surprise and disappointment" at the move, announced by Scottish Secretary David Mundell this week.

Its letter states the timing of the UK Government's announcement is "wholly inappropriate" as the group is yet to conclude its work, while arguing the spirit of the Smith Commission is being ignored. Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee, which is considering post-study work visa issues, is also yet to report its findings.

Humza Yousaf, the SNP's international development minister and chair of the cross party group, said: "Representatives from across political parties, from academia, from businesses and from the Trade Union sector have expressed their surprise and disappointment at the apparent decision of the UK Government to rule out a return of the post study work visa with no substantive consultation with either the Scottish Government or major stakeholders. It is our collective opinion that this decision goes against the spirit of the Smith Commission recommendations.

"It is important that the UK Government clarifies whether they are ruling out a return of the post study work visa, despite the support for its return from all sectors of Scottish society. Scotland has different immigration needs to the rest the UK and by ruling out a return of the post study route the UK Government is ignoring this and Scotland’s best interests, as well as the recommendations of the Smith Commission."

The Smith Commission had said allowing a scheme that would give international graduates from Scottish universities the right to remain in the country and work for a limited period of time should be considered.

A similar project, allowing non-EU students the right to stay for two years after graduating, was introduced north of the border by Jack McConnell more than a decade ago with Home Office approval before it was taken over and rolled out UK-wide but scrapped in 2012.

David Cameron, when challenged by the SNP at Prime Minister's Questions this week, stated that existing UK-wide schemes were "excellent" and that allowing all non-EU graduates to right to stay and work could lead to them taking menial jobs.

His position contrasts with a wide consensus in Scotland over the need for a more generous post study work offer north of the border. Advocates claim it would benefit universities, the economy and society with skilled individuals contributing for a limited time before potentially applying to remain permanently should they establish successful careers. The Holyrood cross party group has asked Mr Brokenshire to attend an urgent meeting to clarify the UK Government’s stance.

Also represented on the group are Universities Scotland, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, the Institute of Directors and the National Union of Students.

As well as Mr Yousaf and Ms Smith, the letter has been sent with the agreement of LibDem MSP Liam McArthur, Scottish Labour's Claire Baker and John Finnie, who represents the Scottish Greens.

Another of the signatories, Colleges Scotland, said that previous schemes had retained skilled individuals who boosted the Scottish economy.

Shona Struthers, the organisation's chief executive, said: "International students from around the world enrich the experience of Scottish students by providing a more diverse pool of students, with a broader global perspective. The cultural exchange benefits everyone as well as helping to promote Scotland."