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Immigration Solicitors

Overseas students “should be removed from immigration statistics” (30 June 2014)

Date: 30/06/2014
Duncan Lewis, Immigration Solicitors, Overseas students “should be removed from immigration statistics”

A former Conservative Party adviser is calling for overseas students to be removed from government immigration figures.

The Telegraph reports that Nick Hillman – former adviser to Universities Minister David Willetts – said that the current rules could potentially “damage” Britain’s universities.

Mr Hillman said that overseas students may be deterred from signing up to British university courses if they fear they will be regarded as an “immigrant”.

Prime Minister David Cameron has encouraged more students from overseas – and especially from India – to attend UK universities.

The Telegraph reports that figures collated by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) in a poll of prospective Conservative Party election candidates reveal that 75% feel that overseas students should not be included in the government’s immigration statistics.

Almost as many (70%) agreed that the UK should target all overseas students to come and study in the UK – and not just the “brightest and best”.

The Conservative Party has pledged to reduce net immigration to “tens of thousands” annually, however – but annual net migration figures have remained consistently at above 200,000. Some critics say that reducing the number of overseas students studying in the UK is a measure that should be considered to reduce net migration.

Mr Hillman said:

“The idea that international students take more from the UK than they contribute is not getting through because it doesn’t ring true,” he said.

“Foreign students support our universities – but they also support our small businesses and our local communities.”

Overseas students currently face tough restrictions on remaining in the UK to work after they graduate – British inventor and entrepreneur Sir Steve Dyson has called on the government to support technology and grant work visas at graduation ceremonies to the “brightest and best” scientists and technology students to encourage them to remain in the UK after graduation.

The technology sector in the UK – based largely round Tech City in London’s Old Street – is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK economy and attracts students and young workers to the UK jobs market.

However, the HEPI survey found that nine out of 10 Conservative Party election candidates were not in favour of automatically allowing overseas students to remain in the UK to work for a limited period after they graduated from British universities.

Mr Hillman said:

“Tory candidates want an open door for legitimate international students –but they also seem to want barriers on post-study work.

“Yet if we don’t match our key competitors that automatically allow international students to work for a while after studying, then we will go on losing market share.

“The whole university sector must redouble its efforts to explain the benefits that post-study work can offer.”

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of immigration solicitors and can advise overseas students and graduates on the right to work in the UK, as well as student visas and visa overstays.

Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors are also expert in handling asylum cases and asylum appeals and can advise on illegal entry to the UK, as well as spouse visas.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors.

For expert help with immigration law and right to work in the UK, contact Duncan Lewis solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


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