Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has criticised a speech by Home Secretary, Amber Rudd MP, for outlining new measures to further crack down on international students – despite the economic damage done by previous restrictions on student numbers. Ms Rudd pledged at Tory conference to consider “tougher rules” for “lower quality courses”, suggesting restrictions allowing only the highest-ranked universities to attract international talent. A report released

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has highlighted figures from the European Commission showing that the University of West of Scotland is one of the top ‘receiving’ institutions of Erasmus students in the UK - and has called on the UK Government to commit to protecting the Erasmus scheme following the Brexit vote. The figures, from 2014, show that a total of 338 students attended the University of West of Scotland as part of an Erasmus study programme,

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has slammed the Queen’s speech for failing to bring forward progressive legislation that will improve the economy and make us a fairer society. The Queen’s speech, outlines the UK Government’s legislative agenda for the coming year. Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “This Queen’s speech represents a missed opportunity for the UK government to grow our economy and put forward legislation which wi

The SNP is calling for the urgent re-introduction of a post study work visa scheme as a priority in its alternative Queen's Speech at Westminster . This comes as a survey conducted by 'Hobsons International Students ' shows the importance of such a visa as an incentive for international students when deciding whether to come to Scotland and the UK to study. The survey shows that the principal factors that discourage students coming to Scotland are the ease of getting a visa

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has challenged the Secretary of State for Scotland about the damage that the UK government is doing to the reputation of Scotland’s universities and colleges. During Questions to the Scottish Secretary, Gavin Newlands MP challenged David Mundell MP over the UK government’s decision to cancel the post study work visa for those international students who want to continue to work and live in Scotland after their graduation.

Gavin Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, and Audrey Cumberford, the Principal and Chief Executive of West College Scotland, have today called for the reintroduction of the post-study work visa to attract the best international student talent to Scotland and to bolster the Scottish economy. The UK Government abolished the post-study work visa in 2012 which had previously allowed non-EU graduates to remain in the UK for two years after completing their studies