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December 24, 2004
EDM 281: visa charges
I wrote before about Home Office proposals to raise visa renewal fees (Foreign Students to be hit again, 26 October 2004). I also contacted my then MP Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith). I am delighted that he and a number of other MPs have signed Early Day Motion Number 281, which is as follows:
“That this House notes existing charges for international student visas and the Home Office consultation on the review of charges for immigration applications; further notes that international students contribute five billion pounds a year to the UK economy; believes that international students make an invaluable contribution to student life, education and research at UK universities; further believes that increasing visa charges will place a greater financial burden on international students and hinder the Prime Minister’s initiative to attract more international students to the UK; and calls on the Government to grant an exemption from visa charges to international students studying in the UK.”
Unfortunately only Michael Weir has signed for the SNP. This is disappointing. Regrettably it’s an example of the patchy coverage that the party give to many issues. We should avoid the temptation to cherry-pick popular issues Liberal-Democrat style. It would be preferable to monitor each and every conceivable issue in order to respond relevantly, intelligently and immediately when they surface one by one in the media. We cannot have too much political exposure.
edm.ais.co.uk/weblink/html/motion.html/ref=281
Posted by Simon Holledge at December 24, 2004 01:12 AM
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