Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, has welcomed a letter in the Financial Times signed by Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, and Cambridgeshire Mayor James Palmer citing the positive impact that international students have on the UK economy. But he has slammed Theresa May for her policy that has cost every adult in Cambridge almost £1500 each.

This is based on recently published research by the Higher Education Policy Institute, which shows that international students have a net impact of more than £20 billion for the UK economy. The mayors’ letter also calls for an immigration system which “acknowledges the vital contribution international students make to regional jobs and growth.”

Daniel Zeichner says “this research shows the huge benefit that we get from international students, in concrete figures – let alone the community benefit we gain from having a diverse society. It proves again that the Prime Minister’s insistence on including international students in their immigration figures and targets is a nonsense. Cambridge’s residents each gain £1460 from international students in our constituency – Theresa May needs to stop her ideological scape-goating of our international community.”

The report shows that from 2001 – 2010,  numbers of international students in the UK grew steadily, along with the economic benefit that this brings. From 2010 onwards, the number of international students flat-lined.

Mr Zeichner says: “This research underlines the Tories’ failure to implement a sensible immigration system. It shows that their policies have deterred international students coming to the UK – at great cost to us all.”