Bay MP Adrian Sanders has reacted with concern at Conservative plans that would see thousands of hard pressed Torbay families lose a total of more than £3million each year and would devastate the local foreign language school sector.
The Conservative Party wants to put even more restrictions on visitors and make students visiting the UK pay a £2,000 bond. The foreign language schools are already under threat from a Government consultation on plans to restrict student eligibility for visas.
Mr Sanders has also tabled a Parliamentary Question urging Immigration Minister Phil Woolas to issue his decision on potential new rules for these ‘Tier 4’ visas, which was due before Christmas.
The Conservative plans could endorse one of the Government’s proposals to limit visas to only higher education institutions, threatening the Bay’s £13million language school business.
Mr Sanders is arguing that visa rules, which were heavily strengthened in March last year, do not need revising again, rather that it is current enforcement procedures that are currently lacking.
Figures show that over 13,000 visa applications from Pakistan and Afghanistan alone have not been checked for fraud since October 2008.
Adrian said: “We already have stringent rules against abusing the visa system. The problem is they are not enforced-the figures clearly show that. What we urgently need the Government to invest in a real solution-allowing the legitimate foreign language sector to thrive while making sure bogus colleges and students are found quickly. ”
“In the end it will actually require hard work and resources to solve this problem, rather than draconian rhetoric.”
“Most importantly we cannot put at risk the vital contribution this sector makes to the local economy. Aside from the business revenue, this puts over £3million a year into the pockets of thousands of hard pressed host families in Torbay, which can make all the difference.”
Recent Comments