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UK Borders Bill

The noble Lord challenges us over universities. I am prepared to accept that there might be something of a mixed picture in terms of overseas applicants to UK universities, but I think that the case is broadly that we are competitive and we have been extremely successful over the past few years in attracting overseas students to the UK. We certainly operate competitively against our main competitors in the field, which are US and Australian universities. I remind the Committee that when the announcement was made—it is worth putting on the record—Universities UK said: "““We welcome today's announcement of special initial visa fees for international students. It is an acknowledgment of the considerable benefits that international students bring to the UK and the investment they make to come here. We’re pleased that the Minister has listened to a number of our concerns in this area””." The National Union of Students also commented on the announcement: "““We are grateful that the voice of international students has been heard, as many see fees as an additional barrier to come and study in the UK … We believe it is right students should pay less as they are not coming to the UK to work but to study. International students are already faced with the cost of exponential international students’ course fees. We are welcoming the on-going discussion with the Government surrounding the points-based system. NUS is glad the Government has recognised the value of international students””." They may not absolutely like everything we done and said on this, but they recognise, first, that we consult, secondly, that we look at the broader international case and, thirdly, that we listen to representations when they are made to us. I cannot entirely accept what the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, has said on that issue. It is important that we focus on what is actually said and what actually happens as a product of policy and how we approach these issues.