City language schools fear losing up to £35m a year because of planned changes to the rules on visas for overseas students studying in Britain.
The rule changes, which the Government says is aimed at improving border security, require increased standards of English, meaning students must already be competent in the language before enrolling on a course.
The city’s language schools have already launched a campaign against the plans, and now leading councillors have written to Home Secretary Alan Johnson ih protest.
In the moves, which the government says are aimed at improving border security, there are also new rules governing which colleges get on a government list of trusted sponsors. A new list is due to come into effect on April 6.
Around 40 language schools operate in the city – one of the highest concentrations in the UK.
A joint letter from council leader Mary Mears and councillors for tourism and employment David Smith and Ted Kemble says: “It cannot be helpful to suggest that those wishing to study English in this country must already speak English. The bona fide students will simply look to other English-speaking countries for their studies and those countries will benefit from our misfortune.”
The councillors say the move would hit the city’s tourism industry which employs 12,000 people and earns nearly £700m a year for the local economy. Among those hit will be teachers, admin staff, shops, transport providers, restaurants, attractions, bookshops and host families, says the council.
Nationally, English language teaching is worth £1.5bn. UK-wide the changes would cost 3,400 jobs and around £240m in fees and other spending, says the main language schools body English UK.
The councillors’ letter calls on the government to revert to previous language skills requirements and consult English UK to ensure local economies are not damaged.
