Universities: Student Immigration System

Debate between Lord Morgan and Earl Attlee

Tuesday 15th February 2011 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, my noble friend is absolutely right in all respects.

[Lord Morgan]

My Lords, has not this been seen by Universities UK as a deeply harmful policy to our universities that threatens both their global reputation and perhaps £2 billion of their income? Is not the Government's policy founded on the fallacy that students are considered as migrants—in other words, as permanent rather than temporary residents of this country? Given the Government's policy on university fees, is this not a further serious blow to the well-being of one of the glories of our country?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, I seem to be struggling to convince the House that we are determined to protect our overseas students, whom we value immensely.