Intending to move away from Rishi Sunak's anti-immigration mindset, Keir Starmer’s government is assuring the world that the new leadership in the United Kingdom will welcome international students into the country. "I want to set the record straight on international students. I know there’s been some mixed messaging from governments in the past, from our predecessors most of all. And for too long international students have been treated as political footballs, not valued guests. Their fees welcomed, but their presence resented; exploited for cheap headlines, not cherished for all they bring to our communities. This government will take a different approach and we will speak clearly. Be in no doubt: international students are welcome in the UK. This new government values their contribution – to our universities, to our communities, to our country," said Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education. Speaking at the Embassy Education Conference on July 23, the minister wanted to relay the message that 'under this new government, opportunity is for everyone". She also utilised this opportunity to reiterate that the UK government offers international students the opportunity to remain in the UK on a graduate visa for two years after their studies end – or three for PhDs – to work, to live, and to contribute. "While this government is committed to managing migration carefully, international students will always be welcome in this country," she added. Phillipson's speech comes a few months after the former UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had proposed either restricting or completely ending the Graduate Route to put a stop at the soaring migration statistics. However, the plan was cancelled after the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended that the UK’s graduate visa route “remains in place in its current form", or the UK universities face the risk of losing financial stability or even shutting down.