Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

International Students: Hotel Quarantine

Monday 26 April 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Daniel Zeichner asked the Minister about discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding the capacity of the Government's covid-19 hotel quarantine system for international students entering the UK in summer 2021.
  • The Minister stated that international students, including those from India, are vital and valued in the UK's higher education sector and communities.
  • The UK introduced visa concessions for international students at the start of the pandemic, demonstrating flexibility.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Immigration NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the capacity of the UK government's quarantine hotels to handle an influx of international students entering the country during summer 2021.

Question

What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on the capacity of the Government's covid-19 hotel quarantine system to meet demand from international students entering the UK in summer 2021?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

I have been working closely with my counterparts across Government, including in the Department of Health and Social Care, about how covid-19 policies affect international and domestic students. Immigration concessions allow for the ongoing provision of online learning this academic year, meaning that international students can study remotely from the UK or in their home country. Universities have informed us that a sizeable number have stayed in the UK throughout.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about discussions on hotel quarantine capacity but received information about visa concessions and remote learning options instead.

How: Discussed Immigration Policies Instead Of Hotel Quarantine Capacity

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Q2 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Immigration Education
Context

The MP is raising concerns about the financial burden of hotel quarantine for international students, particularly those from India, and inquires if universities will be allowed to manage their own quarantine systems.

Question

International students are hugely important to our universities. With India added to the red list, there is real concern that the cost of hotel quarantine will be a deal breaker for some. Can the Minister tell us whether universities will be allowed to manage the quarantine system for themselves, which they are well qualified to do, and how soon could that be resolved? If not, who or what is the obstacle?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

International students, including those from India, are indeed a vital and valued part of our higher education sector and communities. The UK was one of the first countries to introduce important visa concessions for international students at the very start of the pandemic. That has been flexible throughout, including extending the deadline for eligibility for the graduate route to 21 June. We continue to work with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that the UK remains as accessible and welcoming as possible. International students are also eligible for the additional £85 million that we have given universities for support with hardship.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about university-managed quarantine systems but received information on visa concessions and financial support for international students.

How: Discussed Broader Policy Measures Instead Of Specific Question

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