Politics

Britain ‘will lose £7 billion’ if overseas students do not get greater freedom to work in the UK, says Jo Johnson



Britain will lose £7 billion unless students are given greater freedom to work in the UK after graduation, a former universities minister warned today.

Jo Johnson said universities will miss out on almost a quarter of a £30 billion target for education exports if a squeeze on student numbers continues.

The Tory MP for Orpington tabled an amendment to the Government’s Immigration Bill this morning that would allow overseas students to stay and work for up to two years after graduating.

Britain’s share of the valuable international student market has plummeted 50 per cent since 2016 because of restrictions designed to help meet Theresa May’s target of cutting net migration to the tens of thousands.

Jo Johnson is a former universities minister (PA Archive/PA Images)

America recently overtook the UK as the country educating the most world leaders.

“We have no chance of meeting education export targets unless we adopt a smarter approach to students,” said Mr Johnson.

“If we are serious about Global Britain, we must recognise that international students bring huge benefits to our universities, our local economies and our soft power.”

America, Canada and New Zealand offer international graduates the opportunity to work for up to three years after graduation. In Australia it is up to four years.

Mr Johnson’s clause is backed by nine Commons committee chairmen, including Robert Halfon of the education committee and Tom Tugendhat of the foreign affairs committee.

It would also block ministers from capping students numbers to meet the Prime Minister’s target without a vote of MPs.



READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.