Today, on the Conservative Home website, Nick Timothy – Theresa May’s special adviser since 2010 – published a post titled, The Government as a whole isn’t aiming to cut immigration – and the Autumn Statement proved it. May’s ‘reforms have had an effect and net migration has fallen’, he points out, however in as a whole, the Government is failing to cut immigration because they are unwilling to reform policy across the board. While this may be good news to those in the Treasury, BIS, Higher Education and other sectors, Nick Timothy doesn’t appear to be too happy about this: ‘The generosity of our student visa rules alone make the net migration target almost impossible to achieve’, he argues. He also manages to criticise ‘intra-company transfers’, highlighting they are ‘exempt from the cap on economic migration, overlooking any benefits the transfer has on British citizens. And then lastly, a condemnation for our EU free movement rules, seen as ‘impossible to control’, but again ignoring the whole concept and ideology behind Europe’s free movement. It is hard to read the article, partly because of Timothy’s strong anti-immigration stance (which tends to insinuate other unbecoming rhetoric), but also because he seems to completely ignore research pointing to the huge contributions international students (and immigrants) bring to the UK economy. On the contrary, Timothy suggests that evidence of the negative outcomes of mass immigration are ignored by government taking decisions on immigration policy.
It is worthwhile reiterating that the research today in support of international student contribution to the UK is valid and justified. International students do not just bring economic benefits, but they also help build a vibrant and innovative society. Additionally, they are politically beneficial as well, as education is a form of soft power, spreading democratic ideologies and rule of law.
Research includes:
BIS, 2013. The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education in the UK
European Parliament, 2015. Internationalisation of Higher Education
Hepi, 2015. What do home students think of studying with international students?
Hobsons Solutions, 2015. International Student Survey 2015: Value and the Modern International Student
London First & PWC, 2015. London Calling: International students’ contribution to Britain’s economic growth
Oxford Economics, 2013. The Costs and Benefits of International Students
Universities UK, 2014. International Students in Higher Education: The UK and Its Competition
Universities UK, 2014. International students an the UK immigration