Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
May uses ‘unreliable’ stats to keep foreign students out

HOME Secretary Theresa May was attacked yesterday by a former cabinet colleague over her use of “unreliable” statistics to call for tougher restrictions on foreign students coming to Britain.

Ex-universities minister David Willetts yesterday rejected Ms May’s suggestion that 96,000 more students were arriving in the country each year than were leaving.

The Home Office is understood to be using the figure in an attempt to justify proposals which would make places on courses contingent on people demonstrating they have significant independent financial means.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Andy Burnham after officially being confirmed as the new leader of the Labour Party, at a special conference held at the Trades Union Congress, in central London. The former Greater Manchester mayor, who returned to Westminster last month as Makerfield MP, will take over as prime minister and enter No 10 on Monday. Picture date: Friday July 17, 2026
Labour leadership / 21 July 2026
21 July 2026

Unison national officer CLARE WILLIAMS spoke to the Morning Star about the union’s priority campaigns and why they will not let up just because the Prime Minister has changed

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street, London, to attend his final scheduled Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament, July 15, 2026
Parliament / 15 July 2026
15 July 2026

Meanwhile, incoming PM Andy Burnham dithers over who should be his Chancellor

CONTROVERSY: A court artist sketch of Nicholas Johnson KC crossexamining nurse Lucy Letby at Manchester Crown Court, May 18 2023
Features / 14 September 2025
14 September 2025

Former judge ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the details and controversy of Lucy Letby’s trial and appeal in the context of famous historical wrongful convictions that prove both the justice system and legal activists make errors