http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/mar/03/ministers-limit-international-students
Ministers fail to agree on how to cut number of international students
Universities minister admits to ‘fuzziness’ over plans to restrict student visas as part of drive to cut migration to Britain
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- Alan Travis, home affairs editor
- guardian.co.uk, Thursday 3 March 2011 17.03 GMT
- Article history
University graduates The 300,000 students who come to the UK each year account for about two-thirds of migrants entering the country. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
The universities minister has admitted tensions still exist with Home Office ministers over plans to curb the number of international students.
David Willetts told the Commons home affairs select committee he had had three meetings with the immigration minister, Damian Green, to discuss differences in the detail of reforms to the student immigration system, which he described as an “excellent British export industry”, worth more than £4bn a year.
Willetts revealed to MPs the consultation launched three months ago to reduce overseas student numbers by up to 120,000 – 40% – had provoked more than 30,000 responses – a near record for Whitehall.
The Home Office has proposed restricting student visas to those coming to study at degree level and above for all but trusted sponsors, as part of its drive to reduce annual net migration to Britain to less than 100,000 by the general election.
Giving evidence to MPs, Willetts made clear that despite three ministerial meetings and nine further meetings between officials agreement had not been reached. He identified the ability of spouses of overseas students to work in the UK and the limited ability of overseas students to work after graduation as areas where the coalition was undecided.
Willetts, who admitted there was also some “fuzziness” over how the system would operate, said: “We are trying to find a way forward that enables us to deliver the coalition agreement [on reducing net migration] without damaging the core offer of UK universities and colleges.”
The minister said the “range of options from complete closure to the status quo was still under consideration for the future of the ‘post-study work route’”, under which 38,000 students stay on each year. He did, however, report concern that some universities would be disadvantaged in the international market if they were to lose that route.
The immigration minister indicated last month that he and Willetts were considering placing time restrictions on post-work study rather than abolishing the scheme.
Willetts said on Thursday he valued the role played by “pathway colleges”, which prepare some international students for entry to British universities with English language courses and further qualifications. There are signs of a rethink at Whitehall over this as well.
Home Office ministers insist legitimate and high-quality universities and colleges will be protected from the cap on the number of overseas students and the consequent loss of revenue from their higher fees.
The 300,000 students who come to the UK each year contribute more than £2bn in fees to higher education funding and account for about two-thirds of migrants entering Britain.
