Government Crackdown Threatens Torbay Economy

Adrian Sanders, Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, has voiced his concern over Government proposals to reduce the number of student visas.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson announced over the weekend that further restrictions will be placed on ‘Tier 4’ visas, raising the level of English required for students visiting the country and reducing what they can do in the UK.  This could have a devastating effect upon the English Language teaching sector in Torbay, which currently brings almost £10million a year to the local economy.

Ministers are yet to reveal the exact changes to visa regulations but there is considerable uncertainty over the future for Torbay schools and the many hundreds of parents who host foreign students.  Adrian is now seeking urgent clarification from the Home Secretary, urging him to take a more reasoned stance.

Adrian said, “As is usual with this Government, policy has been announced on TV and not in Parliament.  We desperately need clarity to find out how much these changes will hurt the sector.”

“While measures need to be taken to crack down on illegal schools, these regulations will sweep away legitimate businesses, possibly costing dozens of jobs in the Bay and many hundreds of host families an extra income.  Unfortunately neither the Labour nor Conservative parties have seen sense on this issue but I will continue to fight for a rational solution to this problem.”