Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the White Paper Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May, what assessment they have made of the impact of the levy on international student fees on the financial sustainability of the higher education sector.

The Immigration White Paper sets out a series of measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, while maintaining the UK’s globally competitive offer to international students and making a significant contribution to growth by boosting our skills base.

The White Paper includes the commitment to explore the introduction of a levy on higher education (HE) provider income from international students. We will set out further details in due course, including setting out the way in which proceeds from the levy would be reinvested into our HE and skills system.

The business models of a significant number of providers will need to change in the near future to ensure financial sustainability. All providers must continue to adapt to uncertainties and financial risks. We will publish our plans for reform of the HE system in the summer as part of the Post-16 Skills White Paper.