16 July 2025, 09:33

By Sadiq Khan

Keeping our universities open to international students isn’t just good for our economy; it is a chance to lead on the world stage, writes Sadiq Khan.

I’m proud that London offers world-leading higher education. Every September, the best and brightest students from across the globe make their way to our city. With a passport, plug adaptor, and raincoat in tow, each of them arrives with hope for a better future beginning in London. New analysis released by City Hall today shows that they bring a multi-billion-pound boost to our economy as well.

The statistics are startling. This year alone, international students in higher education are expected to contribute £12.5 billion to London’s economy. But it’s not just people in the capital who benefit; across the UK, that figure reaches £55 billion. Communities in every corner of the country are richer as a result.

When they graduate, they return to their countries with a love for the UK........

© LBC