International students bring a net benefit of £20.3 billion to the UK economy, a joint study by the Higher Education Policy Institute and Kaplan International Pathways has found.

Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable commented:

“I welcome this timely report from the Higher Education Policy Institute.

“This is a battle I fought for five years in government with Theresa May.

“All her cabinet colleagues seem now to realise there is a need to remove students from the immigration figures, but still nothing changes.

“The Conservatives are pursuing economic self-harm through harsh visa restrictions.

“International students enrich our economy and society and Liberal Democrats will continue defending their rights to study here.”