To minimize net migration, Rishi Sunak is considering erecting restrictions for international students who bring dependents and pursue “low-quality degrees.”
Rishi Sunak is contemplating a crackdown on international students following the biggest level of net migration since World War II.
Downing Street has indicated that efforts to reduce the number of international students may involve erecting hurdles against students bringing dependents and reducing admissions to “low-quality” degree programs.
This would be consistent with the proposals being considered by the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, who has previously complained about foreign students “bringing in family members who can piggyback onto their student visa” and “propping up, frankly, substandard courses in inadequate institutions.”
However, critics have warned that colleges could go bankrupt, resulting in higher tuition prices for British students.
The chairman of the government’s Migration Advisory Committee, Professor Brian Bell: “Most universities lose money teaching British students and make up the difference by charging international students more.
“I’m not sure how the university can exist if the international route is closed.”
Although London, Cambridge, and Oxford would benefit from restricting foreign students to “elite” universities, he stated that poorer regions, particularly the north, would suffer.
It is not just an immigration policy, but also an education policy, as it may lead to a “huge increase” in British student tuition to compensate for the loss of foreign student contributions, he noted.
When pressed for a government definition, a No. 10 spokesperson declined to specify what makes a “poor quality” degree.
When asked about fears that the potential legislation may harm universities and the economy, the official responded, “Of course, we support our institutions – they are among the greatest in the world – and we will always act in the UK’s best interest.
Net migration in the United Kingdom has reached record levels, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Last year, an estimated 504,000 more individuals arrived than departed, which is higher than the population of Liverpool.
The increase was driven by “unique” circumstances, according to the ONS, such as visa programs for Ukrainians and Hong Kong residents and an increase in students from outside the European Union following the removal of COVID limitations.
At 277,000, or 39% of the total, people traveling on study visas represented the largest proportion of long-term immigration of non-EU nationalities.
The prime minister’s official spokesman emphasized on Thursday that Mr. Sunak was “absolutely committed” to reducing overall immigration numbers and attributed the record high to “unusual and exceptional circumstances.”
The official stated, “We are evaluating all possibilities to ensure that the immigration system is effective, which includes examining the problem of student dependents and low-quality degrees.”
Such a proposal could be met with opposition from the Department of Education, which could raise concerns over university funding if the number of international students paying exorbitant tuition is reduced.
The Russell Group of premier universities told the I newspaper that high numbers of international students “should be viewed as a success story for the United Kingdom” and cited official figures indicating that 97.5% of individuals on study visas leave the country when their right to do so expires.
Preparations for a crackdown on student visas have not advanced since the home secretary stated in October that she would examine them. Instead, the Home Office is focusing on combatting minor boat crossings, or what it calls “illegal immigration.”
This year, a record number of migrants have crossed the English Channel into the United Kingdom, up from 28,561 in 2017.
This week, Ms. Braverman was criticized for failing to clarify the alternative safe and legal paths to the United Kingdom for war refugees seeking asylum.
The home secretary conceded during grilling by the Home Affairs Select Committee that “we have failed to control our borders.”
She insisted, “This is why the prime minister and I are so committed to resolving this issue.”
The government intends to send migrants to Rwanda for processing to dissuade individuals from making the perilous crossing of the English Channel, but the idea has been delayed by several court challenges.
By a recent agreement reached with France, annual payments from the United Kingdom to Paris to assist with border patrol would increase to €72 million (£63 million) in 2022/23 from €62.7 million (£54.8 million) in 2021/22.
