Revocation of Highly Trusted Status for sponsoring international students
The University regrets to announce that as at 8pm on Wednesday 29th August 2012, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has revoked its Highly Trusted Status for sponsoring international students. Please see the earlier press statements on this page (below) for the context of this decision.
The implications of the revocation are hugely significant and far-reaching, and the University has already started to deal with these. It will be working very closely with the UKBA, HEFCE, the National Union of Students and its own Students' Union.
Our ABSOLUTE PRIORITY is to our students, both current and prospective, and the University will meet all its obligations to them.
The University has set up a Help Centre to support and advise students. The number is +44 (0) 20 7133 4141
A fuller announcement will be made on Thursday 30th August 2012.
Malcolm Gillies
Vice-Chancellor
Wednesday 29 August, 2012
We have opened a hotline to answer any questions you might have:
+44 (0) 20 7133 4141
Update 13.30hrs Sunday 26 August 2012:
The Home Office has now denied that a decision has been made in regard to our Highly Trusted Sponsor status. However, London Metropolitan University's concerns relating to such a story being provided to the Sunday Times remain. Please see below for further details.
Response in regard to the Sunday Times story on London Metropolitan University's Highly Trusted Status
We condemn the actions that have led to London Metropolitan University learning from The Sunday Times that it might have its Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status revoked.
On 16th July 2012, the UKBA suspended the University’s Highly Trusted Sponsor status until further notice over fears that a small minority of its international students did not have accurate documentation to remain in the UK.
For the last six weeks we have repeatedly tried to liaise with the UKBA to understand further their concerns, which seem to be focused on processes related to the legacy of previous management. Disappointingly, the UKBA has been unwilling to communicate with the University, despite the growing £10 million-plus hole their action has already left on our balance sheet.
To learn that we might have our HTS status revoked via a newspaper, with the panic that this can cause for thousands of students, is outrageous. We have written to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Immigration Minister and asked them to outline who authorised the briefing of the story to The Sunday Times and what consideration was given to the impact it might have on our students. As far as we are officially aware, UKBA is still working through an analysis of our case. Indeed in a radio interview this morning (Sunday 26 August), Immigration Minister Damian Green MP said that a decision had not yet been made regarding London Met’s Highly Trusted Status.
At this time, our concern is with our students: to inform and assist our international students and applicants, who have put their faith in our institution. They will need clear information on their options for future study and timelines for securing those options. Our home and EU students also need reassurance and support.
The University will come up with a more comprehensive response once it has received official notification from UKBA.
Malcolm Gillies
Vice Chancellor, London Metropolitan University
26 August 2012
Press queries can be directed to the PR and Internal Communications team:
Irene Constantinides
Landline: +44 20 7133 2464
Mobile: 07813193515
Nick Hansen
Landline: +44 20 7133 2467
Mobile: 07703 812124