Government 'needs new system for foreign students'

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Government proposals to increase restrictions on student visas could "cripple" the UK's thriving educational export sector, according to a group of MPs.

The House of Commons home affairs committee strongly recommended that the government considers a new system to control the number of non-EU migrants coming to study in the UK.

The report also said there was evidence that the proposals were based on flawed data that "are not fit for purpose" and could inhibit effective policy making.

And it recommended that government measures to end the links between study and work should be scrapped.

International students currently make up 10 per cent of first degree students in the UK and over 40 per cent of postgraduates.

In total the international student market brings an estimated £40bn to the economy, the UK being the second most popular global destination for international students.

The coalition intends to tighten the rules governing student visas as part of its efforts to fulfil its pledge to bring down net migration from 215,000 to less than 100,000 annually by 2015.

However, the cross-party group of MPs said concerns were raised "that a number of the proposals could have serious unintended consequences".

It said plans to make non-EU students return home before they can apply for a new visa were "too onerous".

The MPs said they were "likely to lead to a decline in the retention rate for the high quality students the UK's research facilities most desire".

Plans were criticised to implement an increase the minimum English language requirement for students, bringing "scope for confusion" over what language tests would be appropriate.

And it said the use of a specific set of data, the International Passenger Survey, had not been "fit for purpose" and inflates the number of students staying in the UK.

Labour committee chair Keith Vaz said: "Generating policy based on flawed evidence could cripple the UK education sector.

"In the case of international students this could mean a significant revenue and reputational loss to the UK.

"We strongly urge the government to examine the data which it currently uses to extrapolate migration figures and recognise that for any genuine student the doors to Britain's fine education institutions are always open.

"If the door is shut they will simply study elsewhere."

Shadow universities minister Gareth Thomas said universities were "hugely worried" about the financial implications of a big drop in overseas student numbers, which would lead to an increase in tuition fees for home students.

Immigration minister Damian Green said the government recognises the "important contribution" that international students make to the UK economy.

"The old student visa regime neither controlled immigration nor protected legitimate students from being exploited by poor quality colleges," he said.

"We want to refocus the student visa system as a temporary route and one that is not open to abuse."