Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect on the economy of a ban on international students working whilst they study in the UK.

The changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament on 13 July prevent new international students studying at publicly-funded colleges from working. This change brings their rights into line with the existing rules for those studying at private colleges.

University students are not affected by this change and can work for 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. All students can continue to undertake work placements, provided they are an integral and assessed part of their course of study.