Urgent question on overseas students falsely accused of cheating

The urgent question comes as the Home Office is to be investigated over its decision to cancel the visas of thousands of overseas students and as a result of cheating allegations in English language tests. This followed on from an investigation by the BBC's Panorama programme in 2014 which exposed systematic abuse at certain colleges where students took part in the tests.

The Minister for Immigration, Caroline Nokes, responded to the question, telling the House:

 "The Home Secretary has listened to the apprehensions of some Members, including the Honourable gentleman for East Ham, and has asked officials for further advice. The National Audit Office is also currently in the process of concluding an investigation in to the handling of these issues. This is expected to be published next month. Obviously my Rt. Honourable Friend, the Home Secretary has taken a close interest in this issue and he will be reviewing the conclusions of the National Audit Office, and once he has time to consider it in full he will be making a statement to the House."

Mr Timms replied to the Minister and said;

 "Thrown off their courses and denied any refund of their fees, the students cannot study or work. Some invested their families' life savings to obtain a British degree. The savings have gone. They have no qualification and no income. They depend on kindly friends but say they could not endure the shame of going home with nothing, having apparently been convicted of cheating in the UK. Understandably, mental health problems are rife. Does the Minister agree that those who lost their visas on TOEIC grounds but remain in the UK should have the opportunity to sit a new test and, if they pass, obtain a visa in order to complete their studies and clear their names?"

• Watch Parliament TV: urgent question on overseas students falsely accused of cheating
• Read Commons Hansard: urgent question on overseas students falsely accused of cheating

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