Sunak is facing a backlash from Tory MPs (Image: Getty)
Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash from Tory MPs amid fears he will hand India thousands of student visas to help secure a trade deal.
The two countries are on course to seal an agreement, which could give the green light for thousands more arrivals.
Net migration hit a record 606,000 last year, heaping pressure on the Prime Minister to drive numbers down.
But some Conservatives fear the PM will accept his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi’s demands for more student visas in exchange for slashing tariffs on UK goods and giving our service industry access to the economic superpower’s lucrative markets.
Mr Sunak is due to fly to India for the G20 summit next week and hopes to seal a trade deal with Mr Modi ahead of next year’s expected general election.
READ MORE Cabinet civil war over plan to hand out thousands of visas for India trade deal
ndia's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Image: Getty)
Some Tories are concerned the agreement could push up migrant numbers.
MP Marco Longhi said: “It could potentially lead to more visa overstays and administrative challenges. Without proper controls and oversight, a surge in student visas could strain resources and jeopardise security. Furthermore, increasing visa numbers may dilute academic standards of institutions. It’s vital to maintain rigorous admission criteria that prioritise academic potential.”
MPs are threatening to force a vote in Parliament over the deal, after Boris Johnson gave members a say over the Aussie trade agreement last year.
It comes as figures showed 5,369 migrants crossed the Channel last month.
Comment by Marco Longhi - Conservative MP for Dudley North
Two current Secretaries of State have raised issues about Indian student visas, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman expressing concerns over visa overstays and the Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch emphasising that visa numbers should not be tied to trade deals with India.
It is imperative to lend credence to their perspectives while casting a critical eye on proposals to increase student visas.
Suella Braverman's apprehensions regarding Indian student visa overstays warrant attention.
Visa overstay rates undermine the integrity of immigration systems and can strain public resources.
Addressing this issue should be a priority before considering any expansion of student visas. Rather than neglecting enforcement and oversight, we should bolster these mechanisms to ensure that individuals respect the terms of their visas.
Kemi Badenoch's assertion that visa numbers for Indian students should remain separate from trade deals is well-founded.
While fostering educational exchange is commendable, conflating student visas with trade negotiations risks compromising the quality of education and academic merit.
Education should be valued for its intrinsic worth, not entangled in trade concessions.
Advocating for an increase in student visas for trade deal purposes is a misguided approach. Such a move carries several risks and drawbacks.
First, it may exacerbate the concerns raised by Suella Braverman, potentially leading to more visa overstays and administrative challenges. Without proper controls and oversight, a surge in student visas could strain resources even further and jeopardise security.
Furthermore, increasing visa numbers without careful consideration may dilute the academic standards of institutions. Admitting students solely for the sake of numbers can undermine the educational objectives of universities and colleges.
It's vital to maintain rigorous admission criteria that prioritise academic potential and the ability to contribute positively to the host country. It is by enhancing the quality of the education and experience offered to students, that we can attract the brightest minds and ensure their contributions to our societies are substantial.
In conclusion, Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch have raised legitimate concerns about Indian student visas and their connection to trade deals.
It is crucial to heed their caution and prioritise the maintenance of strong immigration standards and academic integrity.
Our focus should be on strengthening the foundations of our educational exchange programs for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Comment by Marco Longhi - Conservative MP for Dudley North
Two current Secretaries of State have raised issues about Indian student visas, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman expressing concerns over visa overstays and the Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch emphasising that visa numbers should not be tied to trade deals with India.
It is imperative to lend credence to their perspectives while casting a critical eye on proposals to increase student visas.
Suella Braverman's apprehensions regarding Indian student visa overstays warrant attention.
Visa overstay rates undermine the integrity of immigration systems and can strain public resources.
Addressing this issue should be a priority before considering any expansion of student visas. Rather than neglecting enforcement and oversight, we should bolster these mechanisms to ensure that individuals respect the terms of their visas.
Kemi Badenoch's assertion that visa numbers for Indian students should remain separate from trade deals is well-founded.
While fostering educational exchange is commendable, conflating student visas with trade negotiations risks compromising the quality of education and academic merit.
Education should be valued for its intrinsic worth, not entangled in trade concessions.
Advocating for an increase in student visas for trade deal purposes is a misguided approach. Such a move carries several risks and drawbacks.
First, it may exacerbate the concerns raised by Suella Braverman, potentially leading to more visa overstays and administrative challenges. Without proper controls and oversight, a surge in student visas could strain resources even further and jeopardise security.
Furthermore, increasing visa numbers without careful consideration may dilute the academic standards of institutions. Admitting students solely for the sake of numbers can undermine the educational objectives of universities and colleges.
It's vital to maintain rigorous admission criteria that prioritise academic potential and the ability to contribute positively to the host country. It is by enhancing the quality of the education and experience offered to students, that we can attract the brightest minds and ensure their contributions to our societies are substantial.
In conclusion, Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch have raised legitimate concerns about Indian student visas and their connection to trade deals.
It is crucial to heed their caution and prioritise the maintenance of strong immigration standards and academic integrity.
Our focus should be on strengthening the foundations of our educational exchange programs for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Two current Secretaries of State have raised issues about Indian student visas, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman expressing concerns over visa overstays and the Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch emphasising that visa numbers should not be tied to trade deals with India.
It is imperative to lend credence to their perspectives while casting a critical eye on proposals to increase student visas.
Suella Braverman's apprehensions regarding Indian student visa overstays warrant attention.
Visa overstay rates undermine the integrity of immigration systems and can strain public resources.
Addressing this issue should be a priority before considering any expansion of student visas. Rather than neglecting enforcement and oversight, we should bolster these mechanisms to ensure that individuals respect the terms of their visas.
Kemi Badenoch's assertion that visa numbers for Indian students should remain separate from trade deals is well-founded.
While fostering educational exchange is commendable, conflating student visas with trade negotiations risks compromising the quality of education and academic merit.
Education should be valued for its intrinsic worth, not entangled in trade concessions.
Advocating for an increase in student visas for trade deal purposes is a misguided approach. Such a move carries several risks and drawbacks.
First, it may exacerbate the concerns raised by Suella Braverman, potentially leading to more visa overstays and administrative challenges. Without proper controls and oversight, a surge in student visas could strain resources even further and jeopardise security.
Furthermore, increasing visa numbers without careful consideration may dilute the academic standards of institutions. Admitting students solely for the sake of numbers can undermine the educational objectives of universities and colleges.
It's vital to maintain rigorous admission criteria that prioritise academic potential and the ability to contribute positively to the host country. It is by enhancing the quality of the education and experience offered to students, that we can attract the brightest minds and ensure their contributions to our societies are substantial.
In conclusion, Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch have raised legitimate concerns about Indian student visas and their connection to trade deals.
It is crucial to heed their caution and prioritise the maintenance of strong immigration standards and academic integrity.
Our focus should be on strengthening the foundations of our educational exchange programs for the benefit of all stakeholders.
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