Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Brown Excerpts
Monday 9th September 2019

(5 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Patrick Grady Portrait Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP)
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1. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on tertiary education of the UK leaving the EU without an agreement.

Alan Brown Portrait Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)
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20. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on tertiary education of the UK leaving the EU without an agreement.

Gavin Williamson Portrait The Secretary of State for Education (Gavin Williamson)
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Leaving the European Union with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. We will work in an energetic and determined manner to get the very best deal, and a better deal than has previously been put to this House. We are supporting the sector to manage the transition through Brexit, including providing reassurance on participation in EU-funded programmes, future migration arrangements and access to student support.

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Alan Brown Portrait Alan Brown
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Some 96% of EU students who study at Scottish universities enrol on courses that are longer than three years. Does the Secretary of State agree that Scottish universities cannot but be adversely impacted by the Home Office’s current temporary leave to remain scheme, which allows for students being here for three years, as in Scotland they would then need to apply for a tier 4 visa? Does he agree this is unfair?

Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. I know this matter has been raised with me by a number of Scottish Conservative and Unionist MPs and it is certainly something I am looking at closely, but I thank him for taking the time to raise it in the House.