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| Students could be left out of immigration figures, ministers hint | Students could be left out of immigration figures, ministers hint |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Downing Street has left the door open to removing foreign students from net migration figures, after the chancellor hinted he thought they should not be counted. | Downing Street has left the door open to removing foreign students from net migration figures, after the chancellor hinted he thought they should not be counted. |
| Theresa May’s deputy official spokesman said the issue of students was being looked at as part of the general review of the immigration system after the vote to leave the European Union. | |
| The prime minister has long stuck to the position that foreign students should be included in the figures showing overall net migration numbers, fighting off an attempt to take them out of the numbers under the last government. | The prime minister has long stuck to the position that foreign students should be included in the figures showing overall net migration numbers, fighting off an attempt to take them out of the numbers under the last government. |
| However, there is now a live debate about the issue in the cabinet, with the chancellor, Philip Hammond, suggesting that the public did not view foreign students temporarily at UK institutions as migrants. | However, there is now a live debate about the issue in the cabinet, with the chancellor, Philip Hammond, suggesting that the public did not view foreign students temporarily at UK institutions as migrants. |
| The home secretary, Amber Rudd, is also thought to be keen for them to be excluded from migration statistics, although she announced plans in her Conservative party conference speech to restrict student visas. | The home secretary, Amber Rudd, is also thought to be keen for them to be excluded from migration statistics, although she announced plans in her Conservative party conference speech to restrict student visas. |
| On Thursday, May’s deputy spokesman said: “As we have said many times before, what happens in terms of the migration system that will be established as we leave the EU is a matter that will be very closely scrutinised and looked at in great detail by the government and within the government. | |
| “I think what the chancellor said yesterday was making the point that the result of the referendum was very clear that people want more control over the migration system. The cabinet is united in its attempt to tackle the issue of migration.” | “I think what the chancellor said yesterday was making the point that the result of the referendum was very clear that people want more control over the migration system. The cabinet is united in its attempt to tackle the issue of migration.” |
| He declined two opportunities to restate May’s commitment to including students in the figures. | He declined two opportunities to restate May’s commitment to including students in the figures. |
| Pressed on whether her view had changed, the spokesman said: “The issue of migration and who enters the country under what terms is very much subject to review as we go through the process of exiting the EU.” | Pressed on whether her view had changed, the spokesman said: “The issue of migration and who enters the country under what terms is very much subject to review as we go through the process of exiting the EU.” |
| On Wednesday, Hammond told the Treasury select committee: “We are having conversations within government about the most appropriate way to record and address net migration. | On Wednesday, Hammond told the Treasury select committee: “We are having conversations within government about the most appropriate way to record and address net migration. |
| “As we approach the challenge of getting net migration figures down, it is in my view essential that we look at how we do this in a way that protects the vital interests of our economy. It is true that student visas have been abused in the past. The previous home secretary did sterling work tightening up on bogus educational institutions.” | “As we approach the challenge of getting net migration figures down, it is in my view essential that we look at how we do this in a way that protects the vital interests of our economy. It is true that student visas have been abused in the past. The previous home secretary did sterling work tightening up on bogus educational institutions.” |
| When asked if students should still be counted among immigrant numbers, he said: “My view is, this is a question of public perception and the public’s view. Clearly, immigration and the level of net migration is an issue of concern. | |
| “The question we should be asking is, ‘What does the public understand should be included within that definition?’. It’s not whether politicians think one thing or another, it’s whether the public believe it.” | |
| Andrew Tyrie, the chair of the committee, highlighted research showing only a fifth of people thought students counted as immigrants and that 59% were opposed to efforts to reduce their number, prompting Hammond to respond: “I think that’s very interesting information.” | Andrew Tyrie, the chair of the committee, highlighted research showing only a fifth of people thought students counted as immigrants and that 59% were opposed to efforts to reduce their number, prompting Hammond to respond: “I think that’s very interesting information.” |