Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat), on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 29 members in total.

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Universities and international students

That this House is deeply proud of the UK’s place as a world-leader in research and teaching in universities and other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), home to many of the world’s leading universities; notes with concern the deep financial issues facing many universities and HEIs, with more than four in ten universities in England expecting to be in a financial deficit by this summer; further notes the Government’s announcement of 12 May 2025 that proposes restricting student visas, limiting the graduate route, and imposing a levy on universities’ international student income; acknowledges the immense role that international students play in contributing to our country and our economy, while strengthening our soft power on the world stage; believes we must protect the UK’s place as a world leader in research by safeguarding our reputation as a destination for the world’s brightest minds; further believes that protecting university finances is of vital importance; therefore calls on the Government to urgently consult with the university and HEI sector on its immigration proposals; and further calls on the Government to move to a model where international student flows are reported separately to estimates of long-term migration to avoid counter-productive policies and to rapidly establish a review of higher education finance.

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

1261 

Session

2024-26

Other sponsors

Wera Hobhouse

Pippa Heylings

Lisa Smart

Al Pinkerton

Wendy Chamberlain

Subjects

Finance Immigration controls Higher education Overseas students Visas

Link

View this Early day motion on edm.parliament.uk