A major review of a visa which allowed more than 114,000 foreign students to remain in Britain last year has still not begun – three months after it was announced by James Cleverly.
Mr Cleverly said the Government's official advisers on immigration policy would be commissioned to review the scheme. However, he has yet to write to the Migration Advisory Committee to give them the go-ahead. The reason for the delay is unknown. But the Home Office has confirmed the review has yet to be launched. Last week figures showed the scheme allowed 114,409 foreign students to extend their stay by two years after completing a course, up 57 per cent year on year
It comes as Office for National Statistics figures show net migration – the difference between immigrants arriving in Britain long-term and those emigrating – hit 745,000 in 2022. A Home Office spokesman said: 'The MAC will be commissioned in due course.' Neil O'Brien said information about the effects of immigration on Britain's welfare system, tax take, crime levels and prison system is not being gathered or is being withheld.