Downing Street has indicated that plans to bring overall numbers down could include putting up barriers for international students' loved ones and reducing admissions to lower-ranked universities
The prime minister's official spokesman insisted Mr Sunak was"fully committed" to bringing overall immigration levels down and blamed"unprecedented and unique circumstances" for the record high.
The official said:"We're considering all options to make sure the immigration system is delivering, and that does include looking at the issue of student dependents and low-quality degrees."Such a move could meet resistance from other parts of Whitehall like the Department for Education, which could raise concerns over universities' funding if the number of high fee-paying international students is cut.
The Russell Group of elite universities told the i newspaper that high numbers of foreign students"should be seen as a UK success story" and highlighted official figures showing that those on study visas are 97.5% compliant in leaving when their right to remain expires. Sky News understands that plans for a student visa crackdown have not moved on since the home secretary said she would look at in October, with the Home Office more focused on tackling small boat crossings - or what it calls"illegal immigration".Braverman struggles with asylum 'role play'
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