In a bid to fulfill the Conservative Party’s promise to reduce net migration, Rishi Sunak’s government, led by Home Secretary James Cleverly, has implemented several measures, including a notable increase in the salary requirement for those seeking to live and work in the UK. The changes were presented in the House of Commons on Monday, with the working visa qualification salary rising from £26,000 to £38,700.
Cleverly emphasized the government’s commitment to decreasing net annual immigration by 300,000 in the future, although no specific timeline was provided. Additional measures include prohibiting overseas care workers from bringing family dependents and ending the 20% salary discount for workers on the shortage occupation list.
While addressing the House of Commons, Cleverly stated, “The British people will always do the right thing by those in need,” emphasizing the need to manage legal migration effectively alongside efforts to address illegal routes.
The move comes in response to mounting pressure on Sunak to address rising immigration, particularly after recent statistics revealed a net influx of 672,000 people to the UK in the year ending June. The Conservative Party views immigration control as a pivotal electoral issue.
The impact of Brexit is evident, as the surge in migration is no longer attributed to free movement within the EU. The majority of migrants now arrive through government programs, including refugee visas, work visas, and student visas.
However, the proposed measures have sparked concerns among businesses and may exacerbate economic challenges, including staff shortages and inflation. The increased wage requirements could strain local councils heavily reliant on migrant labor, especially in the service care industry.
Cleverly’s comprehensive plan also includes additional changes, such as increased regulation for care companies sponsoring visas, a 66% rise in the annual immigration health surcharge to £1,035, a reduction in the shortage occupation list, family visas restricted to higher earners, and a review of the graduate route to visas to prevent overstaying.
The Labour Party criticized the government’s approach, arguing that many of the measures reverse previous Conservative policies. Labour’s home affairs spokeswoman, Yvette Cooper, expressed concern about the lack of training requirements and workforce plans, describing the government’s approach as chaotic.
Notably, restrictions on staff bringing dependents could impact the care sector, drawing criticism from Christina McAnea, the general secretary of the Unison union. She highlighted the potential impact on a predominantly female workforce, stating, “We’re basically saying you’re only allowed to come here but you can’t bring any children.”
In a separate development, the government revealed its close proximity to finalizing a deportation treaty with Rwanda as part of its strategy to implement a controversial plan to fly asylum seekers to East Africa, bypassing UK courts.”
