Politicians under attack over migrant ‘paranoia’

International students are still being put off studying in the UK due to fears about how they will be treated by the British public, according to university leaders.

One suggested that the UK had a “xenophobic population”.

Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, president of vice-chancellors’ group Universities UK (UUK) said foreign students were “vital” to the UK, contributing around £17bn to the economy.

He told the UUK annual conference at Leicester University: “We need to continue to get the wider UK government and public to recognise our international students as being the next generation of potential politicians and business leaders, on which this country will depend for its commerce, rather than as ‘immigrants’ and a statistic to be used as a political football.”

He added: “As we approach the election, we can probably expect more discussion about visas and the likelihood of proposals for further restrictions, reflecting the public paranoia over immigration.

“We have got some powerful advocates at the Cabinet table, in business and elsewhere in public life, but we should not underestimate the public’s sympathy for the more draconian policies that some senior politicians advocate.”

Later Sir Christopher, who is also vice-chancellor of Surrey University, said: “Overseas students are really vital to this country.”