Oral Answers to Questions

Kirsten Oswald Excerpts

Monday 22nd June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Stuart C. McDonald (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) (SNP)]

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to support the further and higher education sectors during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) (SNP)]

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to support the further and higher education sectors during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to support the further and higher education sectors during the covid-19 outbreak.

--- Later in debate ---

[Gillian Keegan]

There is a lot of work going on to ensure that we support the university sector through this crisis. On 20 April, the Home Office updated its visa guidance to provide greater certainty for international higher education students in the UK impacted by coronavirus. On 22 May, the Home Office announced that visas due to expire before 31 May would be extended to 31 July 2020 for those unable to return home. More work will be done in this area.

[Kirsten Oswald [V]]

Post covid, the stiff competition for international students will intensify. EU students make up a third of the international student body, but any deregulation of fees for EU students will sharply reduce their numbers. Can the Minister confirm that there is no intention to cause such damage, and that EU students in England will retain their home student fees status?