Published: 31 August, 2012

• AS the MP representing many of the sites of London Metropolitan University I take a keen interest in its wellbeing and future.

This university has a good record of providing higher education to many students who would otherwise have not been able to get to any
other university, and it attracts an impressively diverse range of international students to its wide range of courses.

I am shocked at the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) decision to remove highly trusted status from the university, and thus prevent it from receiving applications from any new overseas students.

According to media reports, the 2,600 existing students have 60 days to find another university or be forced to leave the country.

The implications for the reputation of British universities around the world are indeed very serious.

This decision will not just affect London Metropolitan University, but will damage any British university seeking to attract overseas students.

Significantly, it is extremely unfair on the current generation of students and so I would ask home secretary Theresa May to review this decision and allow them to complete their courses.

Instead of this draconian approach to the whole university, why can’t UKBA and the university work together to resolve any administrative problems relating to overseas students, thus showing the government to be supportive of higher education rather than this current approach with all its devastating consequences.

JEREMY CORBYN
Labour MP Islington North