Responding to new international migration data from the Office for National Statistics, Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive at 91¶¶Òù, said:
“With a general election expected next year, immigration is once again turning into a political football. These record net migration figures increase the risk of knee-jerk decisions to reduce numbers rather than a strategic approach based on the needs of the economy.
“The new policy of restricting most overseas postgraduate students from bringing family members to the UK must not be the thin edge of the wedge that leads to a damaging wider clampdown, particularly to the post-study graduate visa route.
“With international students contributing a net £25.9 billion to the UK economy every year and the majority staying temporarily, the Government should simply remove them from net migration ´Ú¾±²µ³Ü°ù±ð²õ.â€