I have now received a response from the Government to my letter to the Prime Minister urging her to drop international students from the net migration target.

If we want our Higher Education sector to remain world leaders, the Government must drop the illogical decision to include international students in the net migration target. The numerical and anecdotal evidence all points in one direction: the huge benefit brought to our country by international students.

Unfortunately, the Government does not appear to agree. I will continue to push for this reform and seek a Parliamentary debate on the issue as a matter of priority.

The Government’s response is in full below: