Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Brown Excerpts

Monday 6th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We need to speed up.

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

10. What discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on the Government’s student immigration policy.

[The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Joseph Johnson)]

Department for Education officials meet regularly with their counterparts from the Home Office to discuss a range of issues including student immigration policy. Let me be clear that the Government value the contribution that international students make to the UK’s excellent higher education sector, both economically and culturally. That is why we have no plans to limit the number of genuine international students who can come here to study.

[Alan Brown]

If the Government really value international students, I suggest they reappraise the need for a post-study work visa, which would allow students to come here, integrate into communities and bring value to their campuses and communities. When will the Government revisit that?

[Joseph Johnson]

The UK has an excellent post-study work offer. Students can switch into a number of other visa routes to take up work after their studies. About 6,000 switched to a tier 2 skilled worker visa in 2015, and there is no cap on the number who may make that switch.