The Home Secretary has unveiled a comprehensive plan to significantly reduce migration into the UK and address the misuse of the immigration system. This plan aims to prevent around 300,000 individuals, who entered the UK last year, from being able to do so under the new measures.
The strategy involves several key actions. It includes ending the entry of high numbers of dependents into the UK, raising the minimum salaries for both overseas workers and British or settled individuals sponsoring family members. Additionally, it targets the exploitation prevalent in the immigration system.
Specifically, the plan tightens regulations on the Health and Care Worker visa, limiting the entry of care workers’ dependents and enforcing stricter criteria for care providers in England to sponsor migrant workers. This step aims to address concerns about non-compliance and exploitation within the adult social care sector.
The government plans to significantly increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50%, encouraging employers to prioritize British talent and invest in their workforce. This move intends to reduce reliance on migration and align salaries with average full-time rates for these roles.
To tackle the use of cheap labor from overseas, the government will eliminate the 20% salary discount for shortage occupations and introduce an Immigration Salary List. This list, reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee, will be linked to increased salary thresholds, aiming to reduce the number of occupations eligible for lower-wage migrant workers.
The government emphasizes that these measures aim to control migration numbers after Brexit, protect British workers, and reduce pressure on public services. However, debates have arisen regarding the potential impact on various sectors, workforce diversity, and the economy’s reliance on skilled labor from abroad.
Most people wanting to work in the UK will still have to apply for a visa through a points-based system (PBS). But from spring 2024, they will have to have a job offer with a higher salary in order to get a work visa.
They will need to earn at least £38,700 – this is up by nearly 50% from the current minimum salary of £26,200. This will not apply to some jobs – such as in health and social care. But in this sector, overseas care workers will not be able to bring in family dependants.
A points system was first adopted by the Labour government in 2008, when it applied to migrants from non-EU countries. It was then overhauled by the Conservatives after the Brexit vote.
The government is also raising the minimum income for those bringing family members to the UK on a family visa to £38,700 from spring 2024. The minimum income currently required is £18,600. An estimated 70,000 people came to the UK on family visas in the year ending June 2023.
Moreover, the government will review the Graduate visa route to prevent potential misuse and ensure alignment with the country’s interests. Changes to student visas, effective from January 2024, limit the rights of international students to bring dependents and restrict switching to work routes before completing their studies.
Image Credit: Gov.uk
