MP Oliver Colvile has again highlighted the importance of English language tuition to Plymouth’s economy during a visit to a city business.

The Tory MP for Sutton and Devonport described English language teaching as one of Plymouth’s “biggest exports” during a tour of the Tellus Group HQ at Mutley Plain.

It comes just three months after Mr Colvile backed calls from Plymouth businesses wanting the Government to remove international students from net migration figures.

During his visit to Tellus, Mr Colvile met senior management and the international students brushing up on their English language skills.

The aim was for the politician to gain a better grasp of what the global business is providing and contributing to the Plymouth and South West economy.

Mr Colvile said: “I wanted to see for myself what Tellus is doing and what other measures I can help with to support this massive and invisible growth sector in the city – where the English language is one of our biggest exports.”

Neil Pick, chief executive of Tellus, said: “It was a very useful visit and we are pleased the MP is more aware of the importance of our international English language sector in the region. It is contributing nearly 27 million pounds to the Plymouth economy alone.”

Nationally, university chiefs, MPs and six parliamentary committees have called on the Government to take foreign students out of the migration targets.

Tory Party think tank Bright Blue, which has Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts as its president, has started a campaign.

Plymouth business leaders are also looking to create a debate ahead of the next general election.