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170290
registered interest false more like this
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2014-12-15
answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept id 26 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
hansard heading Apprentices: Minimum Wage more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2014 to Question 217744, when his Department plans to write to level 2 and 3 apprenticeships in England informing them of their National Minimum Wage entitlement. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 218767 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2015-01-05more like thismore than 2015-01-05
answer text <p>A letter is issued to all new level 2 and 3 apprentices in England on Government-funded apprenticeships, setting out what they can expect from their apprenticeship. This includes information on their national minimum wage entitlement.</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford more like this
answering member printed Nick Boles more like this
question first answered
less than 2015-01-05T16:41:25.583Zmore like thismore than 2015-01-05T16:41:25.583Z
answering member
3995
label Biography information for Nick Boles more like this
previous answer version
35662
answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford more like this
answering member printed Nick Boles more like this
answering member
3995
label Biography information for Nick Boles more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
170301
registered interest false more like this
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2014-12-15
answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept id 26 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
hansard heading Apprentices: Minimum Wage more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2014 to Question 217684, how many employers have been fined for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage at the rate introduced in March 2014. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 218677 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-18more like thismore than 2014-12-18
answer text <p>The Notice of Underpayment issued to an employer by HMRC following the identification of underpayments of the National Minimum Wage does not differentiate between underpayments to workers and apprentices. Non-compliance involving apprentices is not restricted to the Apprentice National Minimum Wage; some non-compliance will occur where an apprentice is entitled to the relevant age rate (where they are aged over 19 and have completed their first year).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is therefore not possible to provide information on the number of employers who have faced a penalty for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage since March 2014, as HMRC do not hold this information. Nor is it possible to provide details of the number of naming cases involving underpayments to apprentices. We can confirm that every employer that has been named has faced a financial penalty. These penalties will have related to pay reference periods falling before and after 7 March 2014 and so will have been calculated at the previous and current rates.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In 2014/15, the National Minimum Wage enforcement budget was increased by £1.2m from £8m to £9.2m. There are currently 189 staff across HMRC contributing to enforcing NMW, including people who work in legal advice, debt management, technical support and criminal investigation, amongst others. This includes an additional 26 inspectors recently recruited following the in-year 14/15 funding increase. Within this overall resource, we do not specify an amount that should be allocated to enforcing the apprentice National Minimum Wage. HMRC are required to respond to every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. In addition to this, complaints from apprentices are prioritised and fast-tracked.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Anyone who is concerned that they have been underpaid the National Minimum Wage should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline for free and confidential advice on 0800 917 2368.</p><p> </p>
answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
answering member printed Jo Swinson more like this
grouped question UIN
218678 more like this
218679 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-18T12:16:41.337Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-18T12:16:41.337Z
answering member
1513
label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
170302
registered interest false more like this
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2014-12-15
answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept id 26 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
hansard heading Apprentices: Minimum Wage more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2014 to Question 217684, how many of the 55 companies named for non-payment of the National Minimum Wage had underpaid apprentices; and how many of those 55 companies have been fined for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 218678 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-18more like thismore than 2014-12-18
answer text <p>The Notice of Underpayment issued to an employer by HMRC following the identification of underpayments of the National Minimum Wage does not differentiate between underpayments to workers and apprentices. Non-compliance involving apprentices is not restricted to the Apprentice National Minimum Wage; some non-compliance will occur where an apprentice is entitled to the relevant age rate (where they are aged over 19 and have completed their first year).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is therefore not possible to provide information on the number of employers who have faced a penalty for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage since March 2014, as HMRC do not hold this information. Nor is it possible to provide details of the number of naming cases involving underpayments to apprentices. We can confirm that every employer that has been named has faced a financial penalty. These penalties will have related to pay reference periods falling before and after 7 March 2014 and so will have been calculated at the previous and current rates.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In 2014/15, the National Minimum Wage enforcement budget was increased by £1.2m from £8m to £9.2m. There are currently 189 staff across HMRC contributing to enforcing NMW, including people who work in legal advice, debt management, technical support and criminal investigation, amongst others. This includes an additional 26 inspectors recently recruited following the in-year 14/15 funding increase. Within this overall resource, we do not specify an amount that should be allocated to enforcing the apprentice National Minimum Wage. HMRC are required to respond to every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. In addition to this, complaints from apprentices are prioritised and fast-tracked.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Anyone who is concerned that they have been underpaid the National Minimum Wage should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline for free and confidential advice on 0800 917 2368.</p><p> </p>
answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
answering member printed Jo Swinson more like this
grouped question UIN
218677 more like this
218679 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-18T12:16:41.477Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-18T12:16:41.477Z
answering member
1513
label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
170303
registered interest false more like this
date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2014-12-15
answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept id 26 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
hansard heading Apprentices: Minimum Wage more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2014 to Question 217684, what (a) funding and (b) staffing has been allocated to enforcement of the apprentice National Minimum Wage. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 218679 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-18more like thismore than 2014-12-18
answer text <p>The Notice of Underpayment issued to an employer by HMRC following the identification of underpayments of the National Minimum Wage does not differentiate between underpayments to workers and apprentices. Non-compliance involving apprentices is not restricted to the Apprentice National Minimum Wage; some non-compliance will occur where an apprentice is entitled to the relevant age rate (where they are aged over 19 and have completed their first year).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is therefore not possible to provide information on the number of employers who have faced a penalty for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage since March 2014, as HMRC do not hold this information. Nor is it possible to provide details of the number of naming cases involving underpayments to apprentices. We can confirm that every employer that has been named has faced a financial penalty. These penalties will have related to pay reference periods falling before and after 7 March 2014 and so will have been calculated at the previous and current rates.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In 2014/15, the National Minimum Wage enforcement budget was increased by £1.2m from £8m to £9.2m. There are currently 189 staff across HMRC contributing to enforcing NMW, including people who work in legal advice, debt management, technical support and criminal investigation, amongst others. This includes an additional 26 inspectors recently recruited following the in-year 14/15 funding increase. Within this overall resource, we do not specify an amount that should be allocated to enforcing the apprentice National Minimum Wage. HMRC are required to respond to every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. In addition to this, complaints from apprentices are prioritised and fast-tracked.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Anyone who is concerned that they have been underpaid the National Minimum Wage should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline for free and confidential advice on 0800 917 2368.</p><p> </p>
answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
answering member printed Jo Swinson more like this
grouped question UIN
218677 more like this
218678 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-18T12:16:41.637Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-18T12:16:41.637Z
answering member
1513
label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
170003
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-12-11more like thismore than 2014-12-11
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Immigration Controls more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to paragraph 4 of page 1 of her Department's publication, Changes to Family Migration Rules Impact Assessment, published on 12 June 2012, if she will ensure that the Government's review of family migration rules planned for April 2015 takes into account the recommendations of the APPG on Migration's inquiry into family migration. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 218487 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-17more like thismore than 2014-12-17
answer text <p>New Family Migration Rules were implemented on 9 July 2012 to prevent burdens on the taxpayer, promote integration and tackle abuse. We have kept those rules under regular review and have made a number of adjustments to them in light of feedback on their operation and impact, including from Parliamentarians, the public, legal representatives and Home Office staff.</p><p>We studied the report of the APPG on Migration’s inquiry into family migration when this was published in June 2013. This ongoing review process will continue in April 2015 and will also take into account the findings of the courts on the new policies. This includes the July 2014 judgment of the Court of Appeal in MM and Others, which upheld the lawfulness of the minimum income threshold under the new Family Migration Rules and found that it strikes a fair balance between the interests of those affected and the community in general.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup more like this
answering member printed James Brokenshire more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-17T17:53:09.05Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-17T17:53:09.05Z
answering member
1530
label Biography information for James Brokenshire more like this
previous answer version
33965
answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup more like this
answering member printed James Brokenshire more like this
answering member
1530
label Biography information for James Brokenshire more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
168565
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-12-08more like thismore than 2014-12-08
answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept id 26 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
hansard heading Apprentices more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has to improve apprentice National Minimum Wage enforcement. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 217685 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-11more like thismore than 2014-12-11
answer text <p>The Government is committed to the National Minimum Wage and is absolutely clear that everyone who is entitled to it should receive it. Any worker who thinks they have been underpaid should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC investigates every complaint made to the helpline and calls from apprentices are prioritised for consideration.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is aware that non-compliance involving apprentices is an issue and we are taking action. We are:</p><p> </p><p>· Ensuring that all training providers [in England] deliver on existing obligations to inform employers and apprentices of their NMW requirements.</p><p> </p><p>· Improving guidance and information more generally, to ensure we have clear and comprehensive information on the minimum wage rules. In England the National Apprenticeship Service includes information on the NMW in its information pack for employers taking on an apprentice.</p><p> </p><p>· Encouraging workers to call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline if they think they are not getting what they are legally entitled to through our communication campaign which began in Sept 2014.</p><p> </p><p>· Writing to level 2 &amp; 3 apprentices in England informing them of their NMW entitlement.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have also asked the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to consider whether we can simplify the apprentice rate structure so that it is as clear and simple as possible, in order to support those employers who take on apprentices. The LPC will report back with their recommendations in February 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to take a tough approach towards all employers that do not comply with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, including through making their non-compliance public. 55 employers, including some who underpaid apprentices, have been named so far and between them they owed workers a total of over £139,000 in arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has also increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the unpaid arrears owed to workers and the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000. This came into effect on 7 March 2014. We are introducing primary legislation so that the penalty can be calculated on a per worker basis which will substantially increase the penalty for some employers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There have been no prosecutions since 2010 involving apprentices. Prosecution is reserved for the most serious cases. The Government usually pursues other means, which are more effective, to achieve the key goals of getting workers paid their arrears of wages and deter employers from being non-compliant. For example, the Government policy on the naming scheme and the increase in the NMW civil penalty will have considerable reputational and financial consequences for employers who are non-compliant with the NMW. However, HMRC will refer suitable cases to prosecutors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
answering member printed Jo Swinson more like this
grouped question UIN
217684 more like this
217744 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-11T16:21:02.377Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-11T16:21:02.377Z
answering member
1513
label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
168569
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-12-08more like thismore than 2014-12-08
answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept id 26 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
hansard heading Apprentices more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to page 5 of his Department's publication, National Minimum Wage, Interim government evidence for the 2015 Low Pay Commission report, published in October 2014, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the rate of non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for apprentices; and what steps he plans to take to increase the rate of compliance with the apprentice NMW. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 217744 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-11more like thismore than 2014-12-11
answer text <p>The Government is committed to the National Minimum Wage and is absolutely clear that everyone who is entitled to it should receive it. Any worker who thinks they have been underpaid should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC investigates every complaint made to the helpline and calls from apprentices are prioritised for consideration.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is aware that non-compliance involving apprentices is an issue and we are taking action. We are:</p><p> </p><p>· Ensuring that all training providers [in England] deliver on existing obligations to inform employers and apprentices of their NMW requirements.</p><p> </p><p>· Improving guidance and information more generally, to ensure we have clear and comprehensive information on the minimum wage rules. In England the National Apprenticeship Service includes information on the NMW in its information pack for employers taking on an apprentice.</p><p> </p><p>· Encouraging workers to call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline if they think they are not getting what they are legally entitled to through our communication campaign which began in Sept 2014.</p><p> </p><p>· Writing to level 2 &amp; 3 apprentices in England informing them of their NMW entitlement.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have also asked the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to consider whether we can simplify the apprentice rate structure so that it is as clear and simple as possible, in order to support those employers who take on apprentices. The LPC will report back with their recommendations in February 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to take a tough approach towards all employers that do not comply with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, including through making their non-compliance public. 55 employers, including some who underpaid apprentices, have been named so far and between them they owed workers a total of over £139,000 in arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has also increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the unpaid arrears owed to workers and the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000. This came into effect on 7 March 2014. We are introducing primary legislation so that the penalty can be calculated on a per worker basis which will substantially increase the penalty for some employers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There have been no prosecutions since 2010 involving apprentices. Prosecution is reserved for the most serious cases. The Government usually pursues other means, which are more effective, to achieve the key goals of getting workers paid their arrears of wages and deter employers from being non-compliant. For example, the Government policy on the naming scheme and the increase in the NMW civil penalty will have considerable reputational and financial consequences for employers who are non-compliant with the NMW. However, HMRC will refer suitable cases to prosecutors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
answering member printed Jo Swinson more like this
grouped question UIN
217684 more like this
217685 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-11T16:21:02.837Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-11T16:21:02.837Z
answering member
1513
label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
168574
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-12-08more like thismore than 2014-12-08
answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept id 26 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
hansard heading Apprentices more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many employers have been prosecuted for non-payment of the apprentice National Minimum Wage in each year since 2010. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 217684 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-11more like thismore than 2014-12-11
answer text <p>The Government is committed to the National Minimum Wage and is absolutely clear that everyone who is entitled to it should receive it. Any worker who thinks they have been underpaid should call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC investigates every complaint made to the helpline and calls from apprentices are prioritised for consideration.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is aware that non-compliance involving apprentices is an issue and we are taking action. We are:</p><p> </p><p>· Ensuring that all training providers [in England] deliver on existing obligations to inform employers and apprentices of their NMW requirements.</p><p> </p><p>· Improving guidance and information more generally, to ensure we have clear and comprehensive information on the minimum wage rules. In England the National Apprenticeship Service includes information on the NMW in its information pack for employers taking on an apprentice.</p><p> </p><p>· Encouraging workers to call the Pay and Work Rights Helpline if they think they are not getting what they are legally entitled to through our communication campaign which began in Sept 2014.</p><p> </p><p>· Writing to level 2 &amp; 3 apprentices in England informing them of their NMW entitlement.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We have also asked the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to consider whether we can simplify the apprentice rate structure so that it is as clear and simple as possible, in order to support those employers who take on apprentices. The LPC will report back with their recommendations in February 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are continuing to take a tough approach towards all employers that do not comply with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, including through making their non-compliance public. 55 employers, including some who underpaid apprentices, have been named so far and between them they owed workers a total of over £139,000 in arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government has also increased the financial penalty percentage that employers pay for breaking minimum wage law from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the unpaid arrears owed to workers and the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000. This came into effect on 7 March 2014. We are introducing primary legislation so that the penalty can be calculated on a per worker basis which will substantially increase the penalty for some employers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There have been no prosecutions since 2010 involving apprentices. Prosecution is reserved for the most serious cases. The Government usually pursues other means, which are more effective, to achieve the key goals of getting workers paid their arrears of wages and deter employers from being non-compliant. For example, the Government policy on the naming scheme and the increase in the NMW civil penalty will have considerable reputational and financial consequences for employers who are non-compliant with the NMW. However, HMRC will refer suitable cases to prosecutors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
answering member constituency East Dunbartonshire more like this
answering member printed Jo Swinson more like this
grouped question UIN
217685 more like this
217744 more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-11T16:21:02.25Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-11T16:21:02.25Z
answering member
1513
label Biography information for Jo Swinson more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
167963
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-12-04more like thismore than 2014-12-04
answering body
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept id 26 more like this
answering dept short name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
answering dept sort name Business, Innovation and Skills more like this
hansard heading Higher Education: Finance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to Annex 1 of his Department's grant letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England for 2014-15, whether he plans to amend funding priorities for social mobility in higher education for 2015-16. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 217152 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-09more like thismore than 2014-12-09
answer text <p>The Government will set out our priorities for higher education for 2015-16 in the annual Grant Letter to the Funding Council.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency Tunbridge Wells more like this
answering member printed Greg Clark more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-09T13:42:01.88Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-09T13:42:01.88Z
answering member
1578
label Biography information for Greg Clark more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this
167522
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-12-02more like thismore than 2014-12-02
answering body
Home Office more like this
answering dept id 1 more like this
answering dept short name Home Office more like this
answering dept sort name Home Office more like this
hansard heading Entry Clearances: Overseas Students more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what changes relating to overseas students her Department has made to the points-based immigration system since May 2010. more like this
tabling member constituency Sheffield Central remove filter
tabling member printed
Paul Blomfield more like this
uin 216746 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2014-12-09more like thismore than 2014-12-09
answer text <p>This Government has overhauled Tier 4 of the Points-Based System with a package of measures to tackle the widespread abuse that was occurring when we inherited it in May 2010, while still attracting genuine students. <br><br>We have cracked down on bogus colleges by making the Tier 4 sponsorship system more rigorous, and this has led to the removal of nearly 800 colleges from the Tier 4 sponsor register since 2011. In order to recruit international <br>students, education institutions must demonstrate education quality, by undergoing an assessment of their education standards by an independent inspectorate, and a good track record of immigration compliance. Sponsors must <br>make basic checks on students to ensure that they are genuine students. We have incentivised them to do this by reducing to 10% the permitted visa refusal rate from 1 November 2014. If more than 1 in 10 of a sponsor’s prospective <br>students are refused a visa, they will lose their Tier 4 licence. <br><br>We have made it more difficult for non-genuine students to abuse the system. They must demonstrate that they are a genuine student in a credibility interview, meet tougher English language and maintenance requirements and have <br>a proven academic track record. We have introduced a maximum time limit on the period of study in the UK and if a student wants to undertake further study, they must show that this is academic progress. We have also restricted the <br>right to work while studying for students at universities and publicly funded further education colleges, and removed them altogether for students at private colleges, where abuse was greatest. <br><br>We have ensured that the UK’s university sector remains attractive to international students - they can use their own method to determine their student’s English language proficiency, their students can work whilst studying <br>here, postgraduates can bring dependants and graduates can stay on and work if they can secure a graduate level job. We have doubled the number of places on the Graduate Entrepreneur scheme to 2,000, and created a new visa for graduates wishing to undertake a corporate internship, or professional training related to their degree. We also allow all students who have completed a PhD to stay in the UK for an additional year to work, gain experience in their chosen field, or set up as an entrepreneur. <br><br>The latest statistics show that this approach is working – applications for study visas for university students have increased by 2% in the year ending September 2014, with a 4% increase for those with an offer from a Russell Group <br>university. Whilst applications for study visas for further education – where the abuse was greatest – have fallen by 13% over the same period.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup more like this
answering member printed James Brokenshire more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-12-09T14:58:48.313Zmore like thismore than 2014-12-09T14:58:48.313Z
answering member
1530
label Biography information for James Brokenshire more like this
previous answer version
31899
answering member constituency Old Bexley and Sidcup more like this
answering member printed James Brokenshire more like this
answering member
1530
label Biography information for James Brokenshire more like this
tabling member
4058
label Biography information for Paul Blomfield more like this