THE Scottish Government has slammed plans reportedly being considered by the Tories to crack down on the families of foreign students coming to Britain.
Ministers are said to be considering whether to ban the families and spouses of foreign students at UK universities from moving to Britain unless they study “high-value” degrees.
The Times reports that the UK Government is drawing up the plans in a bid to bring down immigration figures amid a rise in the numbers of family members joining foreign students in Britain.
But the Edinburgh administration said the plans would cause "untold damage” to Scotland’s higher education sector.
Higher education minister Jamie Hepburn said: “Our world-leading institutions do a fantastic job of encouraging students – and their families – to come to study and live in Scotland. These UK Government plans would cause untold damage to this success story.
“Scotland should be an open and welcoming country, in control of its own immigration system.
“With independence Scotland can leave behind the ‘hostile environment’ that characterises the UK’s approach. Instead, we would encourage and support people to make Scotland their home. This would be good for the economy and broader society.”
The latest data showed 490,763 students were given visas last year and an accompanying 135,788 joined them – an increase of 88% from 2019, the paper reported.
Students who would be immune from the plans would be those on courses such as science, maths and engineering – which ministers believe are of higher value to the economy, according to reports.
Minsters are also said to be considering a blanket ban unless the students are studying at a sufficiently high level, such as a master’s or PhD.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman is understood to be considering a number of moves which would target foreign students – infuriating university bosses who reap huge financial rewards from enrolling them on courses because they pay higher fees than UK students.
Last month, the Daily Mail reported she was at loggerheads with the UK Department for Education because she wanted to cut the amount of time students from abroad could stay in the country after graduating.
Currently, those who have moved to Britain from overseas can stay for two years after completing their courses – a figure she reportedly wanted to cut to just six months.
The Home Office said it aimed to strike a balance between welcoming people who contribute to the UK’s higher education system and reducing overall net migration in the long term.
