The Labour Party has confirmed it will not reverse the restrictive student visa policies implemented by the previous Conservative government, despite maintaining a welcoming stance toward international students. Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s education secretary, reiterated that the party does not plan to lift the visa restrictions currently affecting international students.
In an interview with Sky News, Phillipson was asked whether Labour would reverse the Conservative-imposed “visa restrictions” for international students. She replied, “We don’t intend to change that.” However, she emphasized, “International students who come to our country and study do make a tremendous contribution.”
The visa restrictions introduced by the Conservative government include a new rule that bans international students enrolled in taught master’s programs from bringing dependents to the UK starting January 1, 2024. Phillipson acknowledged the financial struggles faced by UK universities and criticized the Conservative government’s handling of the higher education sector.
Phillipson further clarified that international students are not taking spots that would otherwise be available to domestic students. “In fact, they are cross-subsidising students from the UK, and we’ve seen a drop in undergraduate admissions from international students during this period,” she stated.
According to data from the Home Office, study visa applications from January to July 2024 were 16% lower than during the same period in 2023. Additionally, applications from dependents of students fell by 81%, with only 13,100 applications submitted during this time.
Despite upholding these restrictions, Labour has expressed its commitment to welcoming international students. The party has also pledged to maintain the graduate route, which allows international students to stay and work in the UK after their studies—a policy reviewed by the previous government.
On A-level results day, Phillipson sought to ease concerns over potential increases in domestic tuition fees, calling such a move “unpalatable to students.” She also mentioned the government’s intention to “reform the system overall” to better support UK higher education.
In a video released by the Department for Education, Phillipson extended a welcoming message to international students considering studying in the UK, emphasizing the value of international friendships and cultural exchange. “Friendships between students become friendships between countries,” she noted, highlighting Labour’s ongoing support for international collaboration and diversity in education.
