Ministers urged to investigate how big numbers of non-EU graduates are ending up in UK jobs on rock bottom pay
The MAC refused a request from universities saying that this would open up a route into the UK for too many low-skilled students
MINISTERS were urged to investigate how big numbers of non-EU graduates are ending up in UK jobs on rock bottom pay.
The Government-backed Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) knocked back demands from universities for a new post-study work visa for international students.
It said that opening up such a route into the UK could attract too many lower-skilled students – potentially pushing UK workers out of a job.
MAC chair Professor Alan Manning said a “surprising” one-in-four non-EU students appeared to be in jobs equivalent to a full-time post on the minimum wage.
He said: “We know that the sector will be disappointed by our recommendations but demand for UK education should not be based on work rights.”
The MAC did recommend a loosening of the current rules to make the UK more attractive to students –and make it more easier for them to stay once they graduate.
It said PhD students from overseas should be automatically given a year “leave to remain” when their course ends instead of having to apply for it.
And it proposed extending the post-study visa for Masters students from four months to six.
The changes undo a crackdown put in place by Theresa May as Home Secretary six years ago.
But the MAC insisted overseas students should remain in the net migration figures – if the Government chooses to keep the target in place.
Migration Watch – which has repeatedly warned higher education is being used as a backdoor route in the UK - praised the MAC’s “excellent” work.
Lord Green, the think tank’s chair, said: “We have long pointed to the risk that students staying onto work would simply be stacking shelves – indeed that seems to be the case for a quarter of them.
“The inquiry the MAC suggests is exactly’s what needed.
But Destination Education – a body that helps foreign students into the UK – branded the report a “huge missed opportunity”.
Professor Dame Janet Beer, president of Universities UK added: “While the report recognises the enormous contribution international students make to life in the UK, we are disappointed with its main recommendations.
“It will only be possible to grow the number of international students if we have an immigration system that encourages talented international students to choose the UK.”
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MAC said foreign students represented an “important source” of skilled workers for the UK economy – with 750,000 coming to the UK each year.
Yesterday’s report will be followed by a huge study next week from the MAC into the number of EU nationals working in the UK.
The body was asked in August last year by the Government to carry out analysis of the impact of international students on the UK’s education system, economy and society.
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