Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that the higher education sector is not used as a mechanism by which Russian oligarchs with links to President Putin can legitimise their wealth.

As set out in legislation, universities must follow the same rules regulating the flow of foreign money and sanctions as other businesses. Universities will be bound by new rules restricting Russian investment in line with other British businesses. The department expects universities to complete due diligence processes to consider reputational, ethical, and security risks.

Any higher education provider seeking to enrol students of any nationality should be aware of the prohibitions of making funds or economic resources, either directly or indirectly, available for the benefit of anyone subject to financial sanctions. This is in addition to any services provided while completing an education programme run by the higher education provider.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation continues to engage with stakeholders during this period and is monitoring the situation closely.