Jim Cunningham – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2014-03-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the economic benefits to the UK of international students.

Mr David Willetts

The Government’s International Education Strategy, published in July 2013, included an analysis of the value of international education to the UK. This analysis showed that international students across all parts of the education sector (higher education, further education, English language training, and independent schools) were estimated to contribute £13.6bn to the UK economy in 2011. More recent data indicates that this figure rose to £13.9bn in 2012.

International students also bring indirect economic benefits to the UK, including: strengthening the quality, diversity and reputation of the UK education sector; providing a pipeline of prospective students who may study at higher levels in the UK; and improving overseas business, research, social and cultural links.

The International Education Strategy and the accompanying analytical narrative can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-education-strategy-global-growth-and-prosperity.

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