Minister to review immigration rules

A PLAN to overhaul immigration policy yesterday put Home Secretary Sajid Javid on course for a clash with Theresa May.

He promised to review rules demanding the inclusion of foreign students in net migration figures and capping the number of visas given to foreign doctors.

His remarks on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show follow expectations among MPs that the Cabinet rising star is determined to chart an independent course at the helm of the Home Office.

In the interview Mr Javid admitted wanting to “look again” at the rules classifying foreign students as migrants, which Mrs May has consistently supported in Downing Street and previously during her six years in charge of the Home Office.

The Home Secretary suggested there was a “perception problem” created by the rule.

“It is something I would like to look at again,” he said. “I think it’s great we get so many foreign students wanting to come to our country. It’s a great export; it’s great for our universities.”

Mr Javid said he “empathised” with suggestions the student policy “doesn’t sound very welcoming”.

He said: “It is worth remembering, though, that as long as the students coming in leave at the end of their studies, in terms of net migration numbers in the long term shouldn’t make any difference.”

Mr Javid added that the Home Office was taking a “fresh look” at the current limit on visas for foreign doctors. He accepted that some doctors needed by the NHS were being “turned away”.