Lib Dems urge government to drop visa rule changes that could decimate Bournemouth language school businesses

12.00.00am GMT Mon 14th Dec 2009

Bournemouth Lib Dems have urged the government to bin a planned crackdown on student and graduate visa systems which threatens the town's thriving language schools and could cost the local economy £200 million a year.

The Government wants to stop colleges offering A-Level or equivalent qualifications to non-EU students, as it fears the system is being abused by individuals looking for a way to stay in the UK.

It is also looking at raising the English language requirements which would make it difficult for tens of thousands of students to start language courses.

However, local Liberal Democrats have said the plans are about electioneering and pandering to the far right at the expense of local businesses and genuine overseas students.

Alasdair Murray, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Bournemouth West, said:

"The government is looking at tightening the rules only a year after introducing a new system which they said would crackdown on bogus students.

"Local language schools already have to meet stringent criteria before being allowed to take on students from outside the EU and these rules appear to be more about generating headlines than tackling the real problem of the government's complete incompetence in managing our borders."

Local MEP Graham Watson Chairs the European Parliament's Delegation to India, and is a leading member of the Delegation to China. He is concerned that the decision could not only damage the local economy, but also Bournemouth's growing international reputation;

"Alasdair Murray is right to flag up government's failings on this issue.

"Students from China and India are increasingly coming to Bournemouth to learn English and study. With these two countries set to dominate the world economy, it is valuable for Bournemouth to be on their radar and held in high regard.

"The Government and the Tories are both short sighted when it comes to immigration policy, and they should be ashamed of risking our future prosperity for a few cheap headlines."