Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been condemned by leading academics after “bragging” about a new ban on overseas students bringing their families to the UK.
In his first message of 2024 on social media platform X, the Conservative leader highlighted a Home Office post about the change to student visa rules, which came into force on January 1.
Mr Sunak wrote: “From today, the majority of foreign university students cannot bring family members to the UK. In 2024, we’re already delivering for the British people.”
The post quickly provoked a backlash, led by academics from across the country, and the world.
Sir Richard Evans, author and regius professor emeritus of history at Cambridge University, responded: “This is so short-sighted and arrogant.
"It affects, above all, international graduate students in their mid to late 20s, many with families.
"Research-intensive universities depend heavily on them for income since they can charge economic fees for them, unlike for undergraduates.”
Professor David Worthington, head of history at the University of the Highlands and Islands, posted: “I assume the PM thinks callous statements designed to give the appearance of cracking down on int'l (international) students will win votes.
"How mean and parochial to seek to imply in your first social media post of the year that they are a 'problem' and not a vital, enriching part of society.”
Mark Priestley, professor of education at Stirling University, agreed, saying: “What a thoroughly miserable tweet!
