Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons publicly-funded schools are not part of the Home Office list of institutions licensed to sponsor migrants under the Student route of the points-based system while exceptions are available for independent schools; and if she will review this policy.

State-funded schools are funded by UK taxpayers for the purpose of educating individuals with a statutory right to education in the UK.

The Government considers it right those children who are entitled to live in the UK (and whose families are entitled to work, access services and benefits and pay tax in the UK) are the children who should be educated by state-funded schools.

It would therefore not be appropriate for these schools to hold a student sponsor licence to sponsor international students, as the cost of the education provided to such students recruited from overseas would fall on the UK taxpayer.