Key Highlights
The UK’s immigration system is about to undergo a major overhaul because the new government is ending the free market approach that has guided policies since Brexit. The government intends to implement these planned changes, as detailed in the new Immigration White Paper, to greatly decrease net migration and provide what ministers see as stability in the system. This will cause noticeable changes for employers, migrants and the UK economy.
Background: From Free Movement to Free Market Migration
After the British withdrawal from the EU in 2020, the Conservative administration replaced the EU’s free movement with a points-based system for immigration. Allowing a ‘free market’ approach made it easier for different skilled workers, such as yoga instructors, dog walkers and DJs, to be eligible for visas. International labour was brought in fast to avoid a labour gap and continue growth, and this resulted in an unanticipatedly high number of immigrants.
A record 906,000 migrants moved to the UK in the year to June 2023, far greater than the 184,000 seen in 2019, the year before Brexit happened. There was a 360% increase in dependents who arrived in the UK from 2021 to 2023, and the number of people settling down there increased by 80% from 2021 to 2024. Because of this, people and politicians have become concerned about the effects on housing, public services and community relationships.
Also Read: UK Net Migration Halves in 2024: Study and Work Visa Decline Drives Record Drop
The Political Pressure to Reform
The move by the Starmer government was made as pressure to address migration builds, after the rise of Reform UK in local elections. Since the Brexit referendum, discussions about immigration have continued to play a major role in politics, and many voters have mentioned increased legal migration as a big reason for their support of Brexit.
According to the new Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, the old system failed and left a “dysfunctional” legacy, and she intends to “bring back control and order”.However, some people argue that the reforms could be bad for businesses and won’t solve the problem of the exploitation of those on visas.
Key Changes in the New Immigration Policy
The key changes in the new immigration policy are:
1. Skilled Worker Visas are only for People who have Attended Graduate School
Earning a skilled worker visa will now require having a graduate degree12. Now, only jobs that require a university degree will count, which makes these visas available to fewer people than in the early post-Brexit period.
2. Visas for Low-Skill Workers Offered Just for Specific Sectors
Visas for low-skilled jobs will be granted only in sectors the UK finds important for its industrial strategy and when a genuine labour shortage is evident. Those who want to sponsor these visas are required to advertise open jobs in the UK and help train UK workers.
3. Strictly Following Health and Safety Laws
Firms will have to show they prioritise training locals over bringing in workers from abroad12. Members of an official group will choose the industries relying heavily on migrants and advise ways to increase local hiring.
4. White Paper and Implementation Timeline
The government plans to release a White Paper shortly, which will explain the details of the proposed law and outline what steps the government needs to take to set it in motion.
Also Read: UK Immigration White Paper: Reforms for Students, Workers & Caregivers
Reasons for the UK’s Policy Changes
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The rapid rise in population from migration means more people need houses, healthcare and education, which causes public service pressure and leads to public discontent.
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Political Mandate: Because anti-immigration parties are increasing, the Labour government is trying to show it can control migration and the crossing of borders.
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The government tries to solve the labour shortage by shaping the local workforce instead of extending migrant work permit schemes indefinitely.
Implications for Migrants and Employers
The implications for migrants and employers are:
For Migrants:
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People must have a job offer in a graduate-level career to qualify for skilled worker visas.
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Unless a person’s job is in a critical sector, obtaining a UK visa with fewer skills will be very difficult.
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Though not officially announced, there will be more scrutiny of people from Pakistan and Sri Lanka applying for jobs elsewhere.
For Employers:
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Recruitment efforts should be updated, and local teams should be given more training and support.
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The government will keep a close eye on the use of migrant workers, mainly in the sectors marked as overreliant on them.
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Sectors that really lack the necessary skills should have strong proof to show why they need to bring in more lower-skilled migrants.
Criticism and Concerns
A number of groups have been criticised for the new policy.
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Business Groups state that further limiting who can get a skilled visa may make it harder for these sectors and the economy to do well.
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Those Supporting Migration: Claim that tightening rules could worsen for those admitted, yet these rules might not effectively help with illegal migration or fix human rights issues.
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The Conservative opponents claim the measures are insufficient and urge for clear limits on immigration and for the Human Rights Act to be repealed in dealing with immigration.
Also Read: UK to Double Permanent Settlement Wait for Migrants in Immigration Overhaul
What’s Next?
More information about timelines and how the plan will be carried out will be in the White Paper. Starmer has promised to reduce the number of people coming to the UK by significant amounts when the current parliament ends in 20293. Authorities will keep track of their effects and might make policy changes to fit the requirements of both workers and companies.
Conclusion
The end of the failed free market approach in immigration by the UK shows a new direction in policy, meant to keep net migration in check and develop local employees. The aim behind limiting skilled immigration to graduate fields and stricter rules for general visa-holders is to deal with concerns and pressures from the public and the economy. Although the reforms are meant to tighten the immigration system, they also make people doubt how the UK’s job market, competitiveness and status as a talent magnet will develop. As we learn more, both the migrants and the employers have to adjust to a tougher and more controlled immigration process.
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