Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department or other Ministers in her Department on the establishment of a national financial protection scheme for international students.

Policy for further and higher education is a devolved matter and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is responsible for England. Institutions of Further and Higher Education are autonomous independent organisations and as such, they are themselves responsible for their policies and procedures and the management of their operations. The Government encourages the sector to take student welfare seriously, including the welfare of international students.

Officials in BIS regularly meet with Home Office officials and education sector representatives to discuss a range of issues affecting international students. Both my R thon Friend the Secretary of State for BIS and I also regularly meet with bodies who represent or are otherwise concerned with international students.