REVIEW OF TIER 4 POINTS-BASED SYSTEM FOR STUDENT VISAS

That this House recognises the important role of the English language teaching sector in the UK economy and in promoting a positive image of the UK; welcomes the steps taken by the Government and by the sector to introduce more robust forms of registration and the accreditation of course providers; acknowledges the need to deal with abuses of the student visa system, but is concerned that proposals being consulted on in the review of the Tier 4 Points-based System for student visas could result in some 50,000 fewer legitimate students a year coming to the UK's language schools, further education colleges and universities to study, causing severe damage to the sector and a major loss of income to the UK; believes that it is possible to deal with any abuses in the system in ways which do not damage properly registered and accredited providers of courses; and calls on the Government to work closely with representatives of those providers to agree an alternative solution to that currently being consulted on.