A MEMBER of the European Parliament has warned that a Brexit vote could hurt language schools in Bournemouth.

Green MEP Molly Scott Cato visited the town, which is the most popular choice outside London for language students from overseas.

She was told language students benefit the local economy to the tune of around £200million a year, according to a Bournemouth University impact study. The money is generated through tuition fees to language schools, rent for host families and the money spent in leisure time in cafes, restaurants and tourist attractions.

But she was told the number of students had declined in recent years, with possible reasons including the high value of the pound, difficulties with visa applications from outside the EU, and political uncertainty over the EU referendum.

She took issue with Bournemouth West MP Conor burns, who recently blamed the decline in student numbers on the UK’s EU membership. He said the free movement of people within the EU had forced the government to clamp down on those from outside the EU, in order to be seen doing something about immigration.

Dr Scott Cato said: “Not only does Conor neglect to mention the important contribution that EU students make to the local economy, both through attendance at language schools and two highly popular universities in Bournemouth and Poole, but he completely ignores the main issue.

“It is the Tory government’s immigration policy and not the EU that is portraying this country as hostile to international students. Some of the language used by Leave campaigners during this referendum campaign has been despicable and only serves to compound this.”

Universities UK recently released analysis suggesting that EU students at universities in the UK contribute more than £3.7billion to the economy.

The MEP, a doctor of economics, is sits on the economics and monetary affairs committee of the European Parliament, as well as a special committee on tax and the agriculture and rural development committee.