British Council comments on Home Secretary's statement on immigration
23 November 2010
Following today’s statement by the Home Secretary that she will shortly be launching a public consultation on student visas, Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council said:
“We welcome the Government’s proposal to hold a consultation exercise on the visa system for international students and support the Government’s commitment to an effective immigration policy that avoids any abuse of the student visa system.
“International students bring immense value to the UK. They enhance our institutions academically, financially and culturally and many become lifelong friends and advocates of the UK when they return home. It is in the interests of the UK to continue to welcome genuine students from around the world.
“Whether international students are here for three weeks to study English or three years to achieve a prestigious UK degree, they contribute billions to the UK economy. What’s more, international students bring an extra dimension to the education experience of our own students and give them a perspective that will help their employment prospects in the global economy.
“The British Council will take an active role in the consultation exercise to support the Government’s aims and explore ways of implementing the changes in a way that strengthens the UK’s reputation as a welcoming and high quality destination for international students”.
For more information about the British Council please contact Alex Bratt on 0207 3894872 or alex.bratt@britishcouncil.org
Notes to editors:
For more information on the Home Secretary's statement, visit: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/non-european
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We work in over 100 countries worldwide to build opportunity and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. We work in the Arts, English, Education and Society, including science and sport - and in the process contribute to the security and prosperity of the UK and the countries where we work. Last year we engaged face to face with 18.4 million people and reached 652 million. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government. Our total turnover in 2009/10 was £705 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £211 million. For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.50 from other sources. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org
