Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Student Visas: Higher Education

Monday 12 June 2023 · 5 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK universities benefit from strong international ties and are home to some of the world's top institutions.
  • Changes to the student visa route restrict postgraduate students' ability to bring dependants, aiming for a fair migration policy.
  • The UK government asserts that these changes will not impact the competitiveness of UK universities for attracting international students.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Angela Crawley SNP
Context

The Higher Education Statistics Authority reported that 55% of UK universities recorded a deficit in the last academic year. International students account for nearly one-fifth of revenue.

Question

What recent discussions has she had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of changes to the student visa route on the competitiveness of the higher education sector?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

UK universities are home to some of the world's top institutions, benefiting from strong international ties. The change restricts postgraduate students' right to bring dependants, striking a balance for fair migration policy while maintaining UK's attractiveness for global talent.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The impact on financial stability and competitiveness of universities is not addressed directly.

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Q2 Angela Crawley SNP
Immigration Education
Context

The Higher Education Statistics Authority showed that 55% of UK universities recorded a deficit in the last academic year. International students account for almost one-fifth of income, with Scottish institutions affected.

Question

Does she recognise her Government's policy change on student dependants risks jeopardising key income streams for financially strained universities across the UK and Scotland?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Our offer remains competitive, and we are committed to ensuring the UK remains a choice destination for international students. These changes will predominantly affect dependants of students, but not impact the competitive nature of our university offer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The risk to financial stability is acknowledged but dismissed.

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Q3 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Immigration
Context

The Opposition recognises the value of international students but did not oppose recent changes. The Home Office stated that indirect impacts should be proportionate to policy aims.

Question

Given no impact assessment, how does she know any indirect impact is proportionate?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

The number of dependants rose from 16,000 in 2019 to 136,000 by 2022. Action is taken to reduce numbers. From January 2024, postgraduate students will not be allowed to bring dependants, while PhD and research master's students can.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The lack of impact assessment is acknowledged but dismissed.

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Q4 Carol Monaghan SNP
Immigration
Context

Former Education Secretary conceded that policy changes would reduce the ability to attract top students from around the world.

Question

Does she stand by her initial remarks that such policies will impact our ability to attract the best students?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

We are keen on the two-year graduate route visa, ensuring all students have time to find jobs before applying for work visas. The number of dependants increased unprecedentedly, and action was needed given migration figures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The impact on attracting top students is acknowledged but dismissed.

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Q5 Carol Monaghan SNP
Immigration
Context

Eightfold increase in dependants due to policies and collapse of the European market; international students are counted as permanent migrants.

Question

Why is not being considered to count only those who stay for settlement figures?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Less than 1% of initial study visa holders granted settlement by 2021. Home Office data show the increase in dependants but does not control migration figures, managed by ONS.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The counting methodology is acknowledged but dismissed.

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