Ban on dependants:Netizens knock Rishi, Home Office

Netizens have faulted the announcement by the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Home Office that beginning from today, January 1,2024, new overseas students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Home Office had emphatically stated this on their X handles.

Rishi said: “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 Home Office on its part said: “We are fully committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration.

“From today, new overseas students will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK.

“Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships students will be exempt.”

Reacting to the above, Dr Andy Palmer wondered if the Home Office did its calculation very well before jumping into implementing the policy. He said: “International students in the 2021/22 academic year contributed £41.9 billion to the UK economy. Even when accounting for dependants and other costs, international students are a huge net contributor to the UK economy. Every 11 non-EU students generates £1m worth of net economic impact for the UK economy. I hope someone in The Home Office did the economics on this!”

Ryan Morrison raised questions about why the government is implementing the policy. “Why?,” he asked saying “Britain is a nation of migrants. We are a melting pot of ideas, communities and people. Each group bringing some new richness to the fabric of British society. We’ve never been “one people”.

Others’ reaction is as listed below:

Dr Victor Udeozor: This policy will change within 3 years. Why? International student numbers will drop drastically, university funding will be affected significantly, and they will lobby (bribe) MPs to push a U-turn. 3 years!

Rob Banker: Post graduate and government funded constitute the vast majority (my husband works in disease and infection research at the London University) so this measure will have limited impact no?

Sevilla Spurs: But most overseas students are minted, or at least many of their parents are and spend money whilst here, one guy in my sons uni class came with parents and bought 2 properties, cars and they even setup a business so they could do something whilst they’re in UK. Just the boats!!