The U.K. could finally do away with the inclusion of international students in immigration figures and targets, amid pressure from Prime Minister Theresa May’s own Conservative Party. Last year, the government, at the last minute, backed off from an opportunity to bring in change through a House of Lords amendment on higher education.
The policy was one known to be openly opposed by many Cabinet Ministers, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. They believed that it was harmful to the university sector and created the perception of a hostile environment for foreign students which, many believe, has contributed to declining student numbers from countries such as India.
Criticism against May
They also believed that the policy is unhelpful to Britain’s efforts to foster strong trade ties outside the European Union (EU) following Brexit. Further, they said that a removal of the target would be a big goodwill gesture, signalling an ‘open’ Britain.
However, with the Prime Minister — a former Home Secretary — adamant that a tough immigration regime was one of the takeaways from the Brexit referendum, little could change. This was despite data revealing last year that the numbers of foreign students overstaying their visas were far lower than what the government had previously estimated.
However, in early January, a number of British newspapers have reported that senior members of the Conservative Party have warned that they could back an amendment to legislation on immigration that would remove the target. With the government’s narrow majority in the House of Commons, it could face an embarrassing defeat at a time that it needs to show its strength.
Writing in the Evening Standard , former Chancellor George Osborne accused Ms. May of single handedly maintaining the policy and, alongside others, urged change. The Times reported that Cabinet Ministers were warning of a defeat for the government if it came to a vote. The Independent warned that the current Home Secretary Amber Rudd was among those urging Ms. May to change her stance. The Guardian reported that a number Conservative chairs of parliamentary select committees had also indicated their willingness to rebel.
“For years, Theresa May has stubbornly refused to accept that international students are not immigrants, while the Home Office has wildly exaggerated the number of those who overstay. This absurd policy has fuelled concerns over immigration numbers and done serious damage to our universities,’ said Liberal Democrat leader Vincent Cable. “It’s about time the government dropped this completely self-harming approach.”
If the target is dropped, it will be seen as a welcome step by India ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in April in London which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend. Britain has been touting a potential free trade deal with India as one of the examples of what a post-Brexit Britain could achieve but India’s response has been lukewarm. While welcoming a deal in theory, New Delhi has indicated that London’s stance on immigration, particularly that related to students and movement of professionals in the service sector, needs to change.
