Last year 135,788 visas were granted to dependents of international students, almost a nine-fold rise on the 2019 figures.Īnd while the measure is expected to disproportionately affect female foreign students, it is unlikely to have as much an impact on employment levels.įurther interventions are therefore likely needed (and Suella Braverman is pushing for them) if net migration is to fall significantly.Ī battle is under way within cabinet, and Rishi Sunak ultimately needs to decide how to best balance economic priorities and the wishes of many of his backbenchers and voters to get a grip on migration. Today’s announcement is a relatively simple measure which ministers hope will have limited economic consequences.Ĭhancellor Jeremy Hunt is understood to have been far more sceptical of other proposed policies which could have had a knock-on effect for the workforce in key industries.

That pledge has long since been scrapped but there is still pressure from Tory MPs, party members and voters to do something to tackle high levels of legal migration. In their 2017 manifesto, the Conservatives committed to bring these numbers below 100,000. We expect net migration to hit 700,000 - a new record. Political correspondent has been building for Rishi Sunak to act ahead of Thursday’s big migration statistics announcement.

Ms Braverman recently made a speech at the National Conservatism Conference in which she said the UK needed to 'get overall immigration numbers down', adding: 'We mustn't forget how to do things for ourselves.' Official statistics due to be published later this week are expected to show that net migration has increased from 504,000 in the 12 months to June 2022 to more than 700,000 in the year to December. The announcement comes as the government comes under mounting pressure over migration figures - an issue that has reportedly caused splits in the cabinet. 'It is right we are taking action to reduce this number while maintaining a commitment to our international education strategy, which continues to enrich the UK's education sector and make a significant contribution to the wider economy.' 'But the number of family members being brought to the UK by students has risen significantly,' she added.

Image: Suella Braverman announced the tightening of immigration rulesĮducation Secretary Gillian Keegan said attracting top students 'isn't just good for our universities - it's essential for our economy and building vital global relationships'.

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