To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely effects on the economy of an increase in the minimum level qualification for which non-EU students may come to the UK for study. (316973)

In a written ministerial statement on 10 February 2010 my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced the conclusions of a joint UKBA/BIS review of tier 4 of the points-based system (student visas). This includes plans to limit the delivery of National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3 courses to the new category of highly-trusted sponsor (HTS). UKBA will develop a full impact assessment on the review's recommendations as part of the process of implementation.