Thewliss condemns “anti-foreigner” rhetoric from the UK Government

Thewliss condemns “anti-foreigner” rhetoric from the UK Government

SNP MP Alison Thewliss has condemned the UK Government for what she says is yet more “anti-foreigner rhetoric emanating from Downing Street”.

With newspapers recently covering a story that the Government is to launch an initiative to crackdown on student migrants, Ms Thewliss says that moves to do so would be deeply damaging to the city of Glasgow.

As well as being home to many college campuses, the Glasgow Central constituency includes Glasgow School of Art, the University of Strathclyde, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow Caledonian University – all of which have thousands of international students studying in the city.

The Glasgow Central MP has written to Prime Minister, Theresa May, urging her to abandon any proposals to deter international students.

Commenting, Ms Thewliss said:

“This continued anti-foreigner rhetoric emanating from Downing Street is deeply damaging for the city of Glasgow.

“Glasgow is enormously enriched by the thousands of talented international students who come to learn in our world class education establishments.

“Our universities work incredibly hard to attract students to the UK, who bring their skills as well as funding. Universities are already facing challenges in attracting international students due to the removal of the post-study work visa, and students are choosing to go instead to countries which make them make them more welcome.

“UK Government moves to further restrict international students will only serve to undermine the efforts of universities. This comes as yet a further blow to universities which are already set to lose crucial Horizon 2020 funding.

“The UK’s decision to leave the European Union in June – despite Scotland voting overwhelmingly to remain – has already caused concern for EU nationals currently studying in Scotland. Theresa May’s Government should be focussing on making people feel welcome – not digging a deeper moat, pulling up the drawbridge and adopting a little Britain attitude.”

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.