Reverse the planned cut to the Graduate Route visa from 24 to 18 months. We think international graduates should keep the right to stay and work in the UK for two years after their degree instead of the proposed 18 months, giving them a fair chance to contribute their skills to the economy.

International students contribute £41.9 billion to the UK economy and £560 per citizen per year. They pay full tuition fees, fill skills shortages, and support local economies. From January 2027, the Graduate visa drops from 24 to 18 months, leaving graduates less time to secure skilled work before their visa runs out. In our view, the UK actively recruits global talent, trains it at world-class universities, then makes it leave before it can give back. We do not think that this is a strategy - It is a waste.