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From The Socialist newspaper, 30 August 2017
May's lies about foreign students exposed
For students' and workers' unity against cuts and racism
Tamil Solidarity activists marching for refugees' rights, 17.9.16, photo Senan (Click to enlarge)
Rebecca Gardner, Southampton Socialist Party
One of Theresa May's racist immigration myths has been exposed.
The Office for National Statistics has revealed that in 2016 only 4,600 international students failed to leave when their study visas expired. This figure is way off its earlier claims of up to 100,000 a year.
As home secretary, May repeatedly placed blame on students from outside the EU for taking jobs and burdening services. She also blamed higher education providers, claiming they were an easy route to Britain for economic migrants.
The real burden on jobs and services is the super-rich capitalist class and its Tory and Blairite representatives. They are the ones destroying jobs and slashing budgets.
But May needed scapegoats. She imposed harsh visa restrictions which came into force last year, and made it even more difficult for international students to work in Britain after graduating.
Non-EU students pay significantly higher fees - around £19,000 a year - and are not eligible for student loans. They are also excluded from government-funded disability and hardship money given to universities to support more vulnerable students.
Even at the time, then-chancellor George Osborne wanted international students removed from official migration statistics because of the income from their extortionate fees.
Rather than address the real issues that people face - housing, healthcare, jobs, pay, education - the Tories have chosen to victimise migrants. Although it is true that greedy bosses exploit migrant labour to drive down wages and maximise profits, racist division among workers will not prevent that.
The Socialist Party stands for solidarity between students and workers of all national and racial backgrounds. Only by uniting and fighting together - in trade unions and political struggle - can we end austerity, racism and the rule of the capitalists who demand it.
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In The Socialist 30 August 2017:
Socialist Party news and analysis
School spend is behind eastern Europe
May's lies about foreign students exposed
Landlord licensing under threat - fight back
Corbyn confirms £1bn for the arts
What we think
Reject Starmer's Single Market u-turn
Workplace news and analysis
Barts health workers' strike: pay up Serco!
Ford workers vote for action - the fight is on
Bron Afon housing workers step up strike
Unite takes legal action against Argos
International socialist news and analysis
China: debt crisis, state repression and the prospects for workers' struggle
Hong Kong: mass demonstration against repression
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Chatsworth workers and patients fight to save ward
Campaigners fight second Yorkshire Women's Aid closure in two years
Community and artists campaign to save Todmorden College
Orgreave campaign calls Halloween rally
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Should you be furious about 'furious cycling'?
Catchy folk rock with a socialist edge
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