Tony Blair speaks about new points based immigration system with students

In a videoconference between students in India and the former Prime Minister Tony Blair talk of easy and fair immigration occurred. Blair made it a priority to assure the students that the new immigration policy that is based on a points system will be better for students wishing to study in Britain.

Former Prime Minister Blair noted that "We want students to come and study in our universities and we want highly skilled workers that we need for our economy, but we want to prevent abuses of the immigration system. We have benefited enormously from migration in our country and the Indian community has made a huge contribution. I hope that you will find it both easier and also fairer."

Studying at Universities in Britain, Indian students are one of the biggest groups from abroad. The British High Commissioner in India, Sir Michael Arthur reported that 17,000 Indians studied in the UK recently. The number has grown over the last few years.

Charles Clarke, the Former Home Secretary, joined the videoconference with Blair and added "Foreign workers or students will in future need a UK sponsor to vouch for them, ensuring that business and colleges take responsibility for making sure foreign workers and students comply with visa rules."

The Chief Executive for Universities UK, Diana Warwick, said that "Perception is all important so it is vital for our universities and the economy that Britain offers a truly welcoming and supportive environment for international students and academics to live and work in."

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