The former UK home secretary who reintroduced the graduate route has today said she is a “great believer” in the scheme as reports circulate of current home secretary Suella Braverman’s plans to reduce the time students can remain in the UK.
Speaking at a parliamentary reception, Priti Patel, who led the Home Office from 2019 to 2022 under Boris Johnson, said that her work with students had been a “privilege” and “real honour”, including bringing back the two-year post study work visa for international graduates.
“We’ve got Boris Johnson to thank for that, actually, as well, as prime minister,” Patel said. “He was a great believer in driving that forward, as was I.”
