UK Government Urged To Encourage More International Students

Cynthia Barker writes...phew, busy day here in London! Lot's to report on UK immigration and jobs.

This week the Government are being urged by a House of Lords committee to do more to encourage non-EU international Tier 4 students to study in the UK. In recent years, overseas students have been put off studying in the UK by tough Home Office rules and the fact that Tier 4 students, who are temporary migrants, are being included in Government targets to slash net migration.

Surprise surprise, the Home Office clamp down on overseas students is having a negative effect on numbers studying in Britain, much to the delight of universities and colleges in the US, Australia and Canada.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said that Science and Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) students coming to the UK to study has fallen by a staggering 10%.

Meanwhile, London's economy is booming and employment prospects growing. The capital has always been a magnet for immigrants because there are always job vacancies, especially in the care and catering sectors.

Wages are also rising as the UK economy gets into gear after a long period of slow growth.

Industries such as care are not so vulnerable to the up's and down's of the economy or boring stock market figures! The sector, which includes hospitals, care homes and domiciliary care providers, always need staff and care managers, as they have a never ending supply of clients.

Jobs are being taken by EU or EEA nationals from countries such as Spain, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, but the demand for nurses with NMC PINs and experienced care support workers still outstrips supply.

Strict Home Office work permit rules under Tier 2 of the Points Based System should be relaxed to allow employers to recruit care workers from outside the EU. Otherwise, we will see an even greater staffing crisis in the NHS and private care sector which will put patients at risk.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 020 8731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is an OISC registered Immigration Adviser with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.