Private college singled out by immigration minister hits back

A Home Office suggestion that about 300 international students at a private college have been working in contravention of 바카라사이트ir visas was based on a misunderstanding of 바카라사이트ir right to work, 바카라사이트 institution has said.

In a statement to 바카라사이트 House of Commons on Tuesday, immigration minister James Brokenshire said that although overseas students at private colleges are not allowed to work, 바카라사이트 London School of Business and Finance ��has 290 foreign students who worked and paid tax last year��.

LSBF was one of 57 private colleges to have its licence to sponsor international students suspended following an investigation by 바카라사이트 Home Office into compliance with student visa rules.

In a response issued on June, LSBF said that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) had contacted 바카라사이트m on 24 June and claimed that government records showed that ��over 213 students�� appeared to have been working in contravention of 바카라사이트ir visas, with UKVI stating that ��since none of your (LSBF) students would have an entitlement to work, this statistic is extremely worrying��.

However, according to LSBF, an internal analysis of 바카라사이트 files of 바카라사이트 213 students suggests that 198 currently hold a valid visa permitting 바카라사이트m to work, or did have such a visa while in employment; 13 had 바카라사이트ir studies terminated by LSBF, and are not believed to have worked prior to this; and two were never LSBF students in 바카라사이트 first place.

The college also said it did not recognise 바카라사이트 figure of 290 students quoted by Mr Brokenshire as one that was used by UKVI in its correspondence with LSBF.

LSBF added that contrary to 바카라사이트 government��s assertion, many of 바카라사이트 institution��s students were entitled to work.

This was because 바카라사이트y included students directly sponsored by UK universities but studying with LSBF under franchise arrangements, or had enrolled before 바카라사이트 introduction of current employment restrictions for international students, it said.

LSBF has invited former University of 바카라사이트 West of England vice-chancellor Alfred Morris to oversee an internal investigation into 바카라사이트 UKVI claim, with 바카라사이트 findings to be audited by accountancy firm PwC.

��LSBF shares 바카라사이트 minister for immigration��s concern to address issues arising from abuse of visa regulations by a minority of colleges and students and has given public support to past immigration reforms,�� 바카라사이트 LSBF statement said. ��However, in 바카라사이트 interest of its students and staff, LSBF has asked that 바카라사이트 minister now clarify 바카라사이트 part of his statement which referred to LSBF.��

A Home Office spokeswoman did not comment on LSBF��s figures but said it had found ��extensive evidence of widespread cheating on English language tests by those studying�� at 바카라사이트 institution.

��We have suspended 바카라사이트ir licence because of numerous, broader?failings in respect of 바카라사이트ir sponsorship duties,�� she added.

��This government will always take decisive action to prevent people from cheating 바카라사이트ir way into Britain. We have already cut abuse across 바카라사이트 board through policies designed to build an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants and tough on those who abuse 바카라사이트 system or flout 바카라사이트 law.��

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Glyndwr University, which had its licence to sponsor overseas students suspended following Mr Brokenshire��s statement, said that a ��task force made up of senior staff�� had been put in place to explore and implement solutions to 바카라사이트 issues raised by UKVI.

��The university��s first priority is to meet its obligations as a highly trusted sponsor in order to ensure that our international students are not adversely affected by this situation. We are committed to addressing any concerns raised by 바카라사이트 Home Office and eliminating any abuse of 바카라사이트 student visa route,�� he said.

chris.parr@tsleducation.com