SRA adopts wait and see approach to London Met

As news emerged that London Met has issued a judicial review challenge to the threatened revocation by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) of its Highly Trusted Sponsor status, in a statement the SRA said “In the circumstances, the SRA intends to wait until the outcome of that challenge is known before taking further action.”

“In the meantime, officers remain in contact with London Metropolitan University and will continue to work with staff there to ensure current students who may be affected by the situation are not disadvantaged and, if appropriate, are able to continue with their studies.”

Around eighty LPC students at the university are believed to be affected by the UKBA decision.

Earlier today the Trades Union Congress backed an emergency motion from the University and College Union calling for non-EU international students at London Met to be given an amnesty and allowed to continue their studies.

This follows an early day motion tabled last week by Jeremy Corbyn MP and backed by 23 MPs calling on the Home Secretary to reverse the UKBA decision calling it “grossly unfair” and having “very damaging and serious consequences for every university and will further deter overseas students from choosing to study in the UK.”

Meanwhile, BPP University College’s CEO Carl Lygo has warned that a clear statement as to London Met’s future financial sustainability needs to be made in order to avoid a “Northern Rock-type” situation at the university (31 August 2012).

Students affected by the UKBA decision can call a London Met helpline on 020 7133 4141.