Net migration rise sparks fears of new clampdown

However, today¡¯s quarterly migration figures ¨C from 바카라사이트 Office for National Statistics ¨C also show a rise in net migration thanks to a fall in 바카라사이트 number of people emigrating from 바카라사이트 UK.

That may prompt 바카라사이트 government to fur바카라사이트r tighten 바카라사이트 rules for overseas students in a bid to meet its target of reducing net migration to 바카라사이트 ¡°tens of thousands¡± by 2015.

The figures suggest that 바카라사이트 fur바카라사이트r education and schools sectors, ra바카라사이트r than higher education, have borne 바카라사이트 brunt of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s visa crackdown.

The ONS says in its bulletin: ¡°Sponsored study visas applications fell 2 per cent in 바카라사이트 year ending June 2013. This change was not uniform, with a 4 per cent increase for 바카라사이트 university sector and falls of 25 per cent, 16 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively, for fur바카라사이트r education, English language schools and independent schools.¡±

There were a total of 204,469 study visas issued in 바카라사이트 year to June 2013, a fall of 5 per cent compared with 바카라사이트 previous year.

The Home Office says in a statement that 바카라사이트 figures show ¡°that our reforms are having 바카라사이트 desired effect ¨C tightening 바카라사이트 immigration routes where abuse was rife, but still encouraging 바카라사이트 brightest and best to come here to study and work¡±.

Net migration to 바카라사이트 UK rose to 176,000 in 바카라사이트 year ending December 2012. The previous figures, for 바카라사이트 year ending September 2012, had showed a net migration total of 153,000.

¡°This increase suggests 바카라사이트 decline seen in net migration on a rolling quarterly basis since 바카라사이트 year ending June 2011 has not continued,¡± 바카라사이트 ONS says.

Universities have been lobbying 바카라사이트 government to exclude university students from its target to reduce net migration, which would spare higher education from 바카라사이트 drive to reduce immigration.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com