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Pupils denied university place due to immigration status 'should get loans' Pupils denied university place due to immigration status 'should get loans'
(35 minutes later)
Providing loans to teenagers who are denied university places because of their immigration status would benefit the whole of society, the supreme court has been told.Providing loans to teenagers who are denied university places because of their immigration status would benefit the whole of society, the supreme court has been told.
Opening a challenge against government restrictions on eligibility for student finance, Helen Mountfield QC said that hundreds of pupils every year are being condemned to less productive lives. “They have settled in this country, in effect cannot be removed, but are unable to go to university,” she told the five supreme court justices hearing the case. Opening a challenge against government restrictions on eligibility for student finance, Helen Mountfield QC said that hundreds of pupils every year were being condemned to less productive lives. “They have settled in this country, in effect cannot be removed, but are unable to go to university,” she told the five supreme court justices hearing the case.
Under guidelines operated by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, those granted discretionary or limited leave to remain in the UK are not entitled to a student loan. Only those with citizenship or indefinite leave to remain can borrow the full £9,000 a year.Under guidelines operated by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, those granted discretionary or limited leave to remain in the UK are not entitled to a student loan. Only those with citizenship or indefinite leave to remain can borrow the full £9,000 a year.
Many young people who arrived in the country as very young children, and have been through primary and secondary schools in Britain, only discover they cannot afford university fees in the sixth form.Many young people who arrived in the country as very young children, and have been through primary and secondary schools in Britain, only discover they cannot afford university fees in the sixth form.
Because they have the wrong status​​ they are being denied education. It should be a ​fundamental right, not a privilegeBecause they have the wrong status​​ they are being denied education. It should be a ​fundamental right, not a privilege
Between 500 and 2,400 pupils a year are believed to be affected by the restriction. When offered places, colleges charge them the much higher rates for international students – sometimes as high as £26,000 a year.Between 500 and 2,400 pupils a year are believed to be affected by the restriction. When offered places, colleges charge them the much higher rates for international students – sometimes as high as £26,000 a year.
The regulations being challenged were drafted in 2011 by the coalition government. Lawyers for the business department told the court that only those deemed to be settled in the UK and “ordinarily resident” are entitled to university loans.The regulations being challenged were drafted in 2011 by the coalition government. Lawyers for the business department told the court that only those deemed to be settled in the UK and “ordinarily resident” are entitled to university loans.
Just for Kids Law, the legal charity that intervened in the case, told the court that “an increasing number of young people have contacted [us] having found that they are ineligible for student support. Many are deeply affected by it”.Just for Kids Law, the legal charity that intervened in the case, told the court that “an increasing number of young people have contacted [us] having found that they are ineligible for student support. Many are deeply affected by it”.
Their submission to the supreme court added: “Many have resided in the UK for more than half of their life, and as a consequence have received all of their secondary and at least some primary education [here]. Their submission to the supreme court added: “Many have resided in the UK for more than half of their life and, as a consequence, have received all of their secondary and at least some primary education [here].
“Many were not aware of their immigration status until they applied for student support. [They] would be the first in their family to attend university and face significant periods until they will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.”“Many were not aware of their immigration status until they applied for student support. [They] would be the first in their family to attend university and face significant periods until they will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.”
Just for Kids Law said that research by the business department itself showed the average lifetime benefit to the national, exchequer through tax and national insurance contributions, is in the order of £264,000 for men and £318,000 for women graduates – far in excess of costs resulting from the loans. Just for Kids Law said that research by the business department itself showed the average lifetime benefit to the national exchequer through tax and national insurance contributions is about £264,000 for men and £318,000 for women graduates – far in excess of costs resulting from the loans.
Several Labour MPs joined a demonstration in support of the case outside the court in Westminster on Wednesday morning. David Lammy MP, the former universities minister, said: “These are young people who are going to make a huge contribution to society. They are among the brightest. We are denying them the opportunity of making a contribution.Several Labour MPs joined a demonstration in support of the case outside the court in Westminster on Wednesday morning. David Lammy MP, the former universities minister, said: “These are young people who are going to make a huge contribution to society. They are among the brightest. We are denying them the opportunity of making a contribution.
“There’s no way that these young people, whose parents are first generation immigrants who are working as cleaners, drivers or security gaurds, can pay for these kind of fees of over £20,000.” “There’s no way that these young people, whose parents are first generation immigrants who are working as cleaners, drivers or security guards, can pay for these kind of fees of over £20,000.”
Rupa Huq, the newly elected MP for Ealing Central and Acton, said: “These kids have grown up here, but just because they have the wrong status they are being denied education. It should be a fundamental right, not a privilege.”Rupa Huq, the newly elected MP for Ealing Central and Acton, said: “These kids have grown up here, but just because they have the wrong status they are being denied education. It should be a fundamental right, not a privilege.”
Chrisann Jarrett, 20, who was head girl at her London secondary school, started the Let us Learn campaign pressing for a change to the loan policy. “I discovered I could not get a loan just a few months after I did my Ucas application,” she recalled. “I was devasted. I was working hard like everyone else. Chrisann Jarrett, 20, who was head girl at her London secondary school, started the Let Us Learn campaign pressing for a change to the loan policy. “I discovered I could not get a loan just a few months after I did my Ucas application,” she said. “I was devastated. I was working hard like everyone else.
“I was offered places at LSE and Warwick University. I came to the UK when I was eight years old. I was misled in terms of the information I was given [about obtaining nationality]. In the end, I got a scholarship to LSE to read law so I could go.”“I was offered places at LSE and Warwick University. I came to the UK when I was eight years old. I was misled in terms of the information I was given [about obtaining nationality]. In the end, I got a scholarship to LSE to read law so I could go.”
Dami Makinde, 21, has been unable to take up a place at Royal Holloway College for the past three years, because she has been told she will be charged as an international student and is not eligible for a loan. She hopes the the legal challenge will result in a change to the law. “I’m really excited and feeling positive about the case,” she said. “I will be listening to the hearing and hoping.”Dami Makinde, 21, has been unable to take up a place at Royal Holloway College for the past three years, because she has been told she will be charged as an international student and is not eligible for a loan. She hopes the the legal challenge will result in a change to the law. “I’m really excited and feeling positive about the case,” she said. “I will be listening to the hearing and hoping.”
Vlad Vovk, 19, whose family arrived from Ukraine, has been in the UK for 11 years. He has just completed a first year medical course but cannot afford to take his next year without a loan. “I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember,” he said. “I really hope this case succeeds.”Vlad Vovk, 19, whose family arrived from Ukraine, has been in the UK for 11 years. He has just completed a first year medical course but cannot afford to take his next year without a loan. “I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember,” he said. “I really hope this case succeeds.”
Judgment is expected to be reserved.Judgment is expected to be reserved.