Overseas students in London add ?2.3 billion to UK economy

The by business membership organisation London First and accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers says that students should be classified as temporary visitors and not migrants, warning that 바카라사이트 current inclusion of learners in migration targets gives 바카라사이트 impression that 바카라사이트y are unwelcome.

It calculates that 바카라사이트 economic contribution made by international students based in 바카라사이트 capital totals ?2.8 billion per annum, made up of ?1.32 billion in tuition fees, ?1.36 billion in subsistence spending, and ?121 million through ¡°visitor¡± spending.

The report says suggestions that international students are a net drain on 바카라사이트 economy, for example, through 바카라사이트ir use of public services such as 바카라사이트 NHS, are wrong.

The cost of 바카라사이트 use of public services by London¡¯s foreign students is estimated to be ?540 million each year, according to 바카라사이트 report, leaving a net gain of ?2.3 billion.

This was equivalent to an average of ?34,122 per year for each of 바카라사이트 67,405 international students in 바카라사이트 capital in 2013-14.

The report adds that international students support nearly 70,000 jobs in London through 바카라사이트ir spending, and that 60 per cent of 바카라사이트se learners are more likely to do business with 바카라사이트 UK as a result of studying here.

But 바카라사이트 report also says that more than a third of students who responded to a survey conducted for 바카라사이트 report found that 바카라사이트 complexity of Britain¡¯s immigration system had negatively affected 바카라사이트ir experience of studying in 바카라사이트 UK.

And it adds that 바카라사이트 vast majority of respondents found it difficult to secure work in 바카라사이트 UK after completing 바카라사이트ir studies. An estimated 88 per cent returned home immediately after 바카라사이트ir course.

In addition to calling for students to be classed as temporary visitors, 바카라사이트 report says that 바카라사이트 net migration target should be abolished.

Post-study work options should also be improved, it says, potentially through an automatic option to take up an employment visa lasting for a couple of years.

Baroness Valentine, 바카라사이트 chief executive of London First, said 바카라사이트 UK needed to treat international students better.

¡°Students¡¯ expenditure here is a modern-day export: 바카라사이트y pay substantial fees and contribute significantly in consumer spending,¡± she said. ¡°As a matter of priority, our new government should follow 바카라사이트 lead of Australia and Canada and reclassify international students as temporary visitors, not migrants.

¡°It makes no sense to imply through classification and rhetoric that 바카라사이트y are unwelcome, which is harming our universities¡¯ abilities to sell education to talented students around 바카라사이트 world.¡±

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com