A Glasgow MP has slammed the UK Government for what she describes as anti-foreign rhetoric which is 'deeply damaging' to the city.

Last month, Prime Minister Theresa May said she was backing a plan that would require foreign students to leave the country at the end of their courses.

She believes the current rules are being abused with many students staying in the country illegally after their studies.

But Alison Thewliss, the SNP MP for Glasgow Central, believes the move would impact negatively on the city.

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She has written Mrs May urging her to abandon any plans which would deter international students.

She said: "This continued anti-foreign rhetoric emanating from Downing Street would be deeply damaging for the city of Glasgow.

"Glasgow is enormously enriched by the thousands of talented international students who come to learn in our world class education establishments.

"Our universities work incredibly hard to attract students to the UK who bring their skills as well as funding."

Mrs Thewliss said universities are already facing challenging in attracting overseas students due to the removal of post-study work visas and are instead choosing of going to countries which make them more welcome.

She added: "UK Government moves to further restrict international students will only serve to undermine the efforts of universities.

"This comes as yet a further blow to universities which are already set to lose crucial funding.

"The UK's decision to leave the European Union in June - despite Scotland voting overwhelmingly to remain - has already caused concern for EU nationals currently studying in Scotland.

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"Theresa May's government should be focussing on making people feel welcome - not digging a deeper moat, pulling up the drawbridge and adopting a little Britain attitude."

Under current rules, students from outside the EU are allowed to stay in Britain for four months at the end of their courses and if they get graduate jobs, they can switch from student visas to work visas.

The plan put forward by the Conservatives would require anyone whose student visa expires to leave the country and re-apply if they want to continue their studies or take graduate jobs.