Student Visas

Marcus Jones Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mrs May]

I am happy to confirm to my hon. Friend that we will be happy to continue speaking with the vice-chancellors.

[Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con)]

I strongly welcome the Secretary of State’s statement, particularly as I have learned that in one private college there was no classroom tuition whatever and there were so-called work placements up to 280 miles from the college. Does she agree that it is important that student visa holders should be studying and not working?

[Mrs May]

I could not agree more. If someone comes to the UK to study and do a course of education, that is precisely what they should be doing. They should not use the student visa route as a back-door entry into migration for work.