In Response to Immigration Minister Mr Harper on Times Higher Education

Does the Immigration Minister Mr. Harper know that the creation of a £2M Taskforce using taxpayers’ money proves how bad it was to strip LMU's HTS licence? It is really surprising that all he is concern about international bad publicity which he thinks could have been avoided by creating a Task force before revoking LMU's licence to sponsor international students. Isn't it Minister's responsibility to ensure taxpayers’ money is being used for the well-being of them but not to mitigate their own mistakes or a bad decision. He said it was "absolutely right" to strip LMU's HTS licence but he confused himself later by admitting not having enough pre-cautionary measures which caused bad publicity home and abroad. I personally believe law-makers should be more responsible as their one small mistake can make people’s life extremely vulnerable. This needs to be ensured that no one is being punished due to others fault. Task force might have resolved some of the issues but it created a fear among the whole international students body, everyday they wake up with a new question-what if this institution's HTS licence also gets stripped. There should be a policy agreement that even if an institution' HTS licence gets suspended or revoked students of this institution should be given a fair opportunity to move to another institution after completing next available year or semester. A national charter for the international students also can be established which can be a safeguard for them. 

Syed Rumman
Vice-President
London Metropolitan University Students' Union