The
Government recently announced a “new crackdown on immigration abuses as part
of its long-term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain.”
The “new
crackdown on immigration abuses” comes with tougher rules to be imposed on
universities and colleges who sponsor students to study in the UK.”
The “new
tougher rules” which is an amendment to the criteria with which all institutions
must comply to attain or preserve its Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status and which
comes into effect from November 2014 states:
“From November, tougher rules will be imposed
on universities and colleges who sponsor international students to study in the
UK. Currently, educational institutions cannot enjoy highly trusted sponsor
status if 20% or more of the individuals they have offered places to are
refused visas. But that figure will be cut to 10% in November after a 3 month
transitional period for colleges and universities to re-examine their
admissions procedures before offering individuals places.”
The announcement published on 29 July 2014 also went
further:
“The Prime Minister also announced plans to
halve the period over which European migrants can claim benefits. From November
2014, European jobseekers will only be able to claim Jobseekers Allowance and other
key welfare benefits for a maximum period of 3 months. This follows tough
changes that were announced earlier this year to introduce a minimum 3 month
delay to claiming benefits and to cut off benefits after 6 months unless the
individual has very clear job prospects.”
