Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 December 2011.

Higher Education: Overseas Students

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 28 November (WA 23), why non-European Union students coming to United Kingdom higher educational institutions and publicly funded further education colleges to study below university level are not considered likely to be motivated by the opportunity to continue in work; what assessment they have made of the number of unemployed young British people who would take up the positions vacated by such students if permission were withdrawn; and how many non-European Union students were granted visas last year.

Answer: There are high rates of compliance among students at higher educational institutions and publicly funded further education colleges so the Government are satisfied that their primary motivation is to study not work. The assumption made in the impact assessment is that there is zero replacement. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is undertaking a review of the impact; this may enable revised estimates. 253,993 non-European Union students were granted visas in 2010.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 13994; 733 c194WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Higher Education: Overseas Students
Monday, 28 November 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Employment Overseas students Visas
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk