International student levy

That this House notes the substantial economic, educational and soft power contributions made by international students to the UK; further notes research from the Higher Education Policy Institute estimating that international students contribute £41.9 billion annually to the UK economy and also figures from the Department for Education that show that education exports, driven largely by international students’ tuition fees, living expenses and discretionary spending while in the UK, generated £29.3 billion in export value in 2022; also notes that this economic value is spread across the UK with evidence showing that every £1 million of university revenue generates between £2.3 million and £2.5 million in additional regional economic output, supporting employment and local businesses; expresses concern that the proposed international student levy would reduce the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for global talent and could undermine the international competitiveness of the UK’s higher education sector; notes research suggesting that the introduction of such a levy could result in significant reductions in international student numbers, with consequential impacts on economic growth, university finances and hence opportunities for domestic students; and therefore calls on the Government to publish, within one year of the implementation of the international student levy, a full assessment of its impact on international student recruitment, universities, regional economies, research capacity, opportunities for domestic students, and the UK’s global competitiveness as a destination for higher education.