Prime minister outlines plan to curb immigration

David Cameron says government will target institutions with high rates of students overstaying.

Universities that have high numbers of international students who do not return home as directed by their visa conditions may lose their right to sponsor such students.

In a speech delivered at the Home Office today, David Cameron outlined plans to reduce net migration, which has soared to 318,000, the second highest on record, according to the Office for National Statistics. Three-quarters of immigrants to the UK come to work or study; the rise in workers is slightly higher than the rise in students, which increased by 9 per cent to 193,000. The figures include both EU nationals and those from outside the EU. The Conservatives failed to deliver a pledge to cut net migration to the tens of thousands when previously in government and has since downgraded the promise to "an ambition".