Home secretary Amber Rudd wants the international students to be removed from the government’s target to reduce net migration. She is leading a new cabinet push to students out of the count,in order to avoid the government suffering a defeat next year when the House of Commons considers a bill to set up a post-Brexit immigration regime.

Theresa May unsupportive of the idea to remove students from the net migration target

Theresa May has always opposed the idea to remove students from the net migration target. Though she never got complete support from her ministers. In April,the government had rejected a Lords amendment to the Higher Education and Research Bill asking for removal of students from the net migration target. But Amber Rudd is positive that this time the bill might get support from many. According to The Financial Times,she has support from colleagues including chancellor Philip Hammond,foreign secretary Boris Johnson and business secretary Greg Clark.

We need an immigration system that allows universities to continue to recruit the best students from around the world

Sarah Stevens,head of policy at the Russell Group,said that the government should support the option of removing students from the net migration target,adding that universities “need an immigration system that allows universities to continue to recruit the best students from around the world”.

“International students help create a diverse learning environment that benefits home students. The bonds international students make at university help boost UK soft power across the globe and they make a significant economic contribution too,” she said.

“Every seven international students who start an undergraduate degree at a Russell Group university generate £1 million in economic impact for the UK. They help support the delivery of high-quality teaching in our universities and create jobs across the economy.”