Rishi Sunak's vow
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled plans to slash net migration by 300,000 a year, declaring "Enough is enough." In an article for Trending In The News, Sunak emphasized the public's anger over record numbers of migrants coming to the country and criticized politicians' failure to deliver on promises to control immigration.
New rules to encourage home-grown talent
The Chancellor announced tough new rules to encourage employers to hire and train local talent instead of relying on foreign workers. The plan includes increasing the salary threshold for migrants coming to the UK and banning care staff from bringing their family members from abroad.
Cracking down on illegal migration
Sunak's plan also includes measures to address illegal migration and small boat crossings. The government will introduce legislation to reduce the chances of legal defeats in the future.
Earning threshold and Shortage Occupation List
Migrants will now need to earn at least £38,700 to come to the UK, in an effort to prevent them from undercutting British workers. The Shortage Occupation List, which allowed firms to bring people over on visas for less than the going rate, will be scrapped.
Exemptions and future changes
Foreign workers in health and social care will be exempt from the raised salary rules. However, those already in Britain wanting to sponsor family members for a family visa will need to meet the higher earning threshold. The government also plans to review the graduate route, which allows students to stay in the UK for two years after university.
Reaction and further action
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman supported the changes but called for further action, including curbing the graduate route and introducing an annual cap on migration numbers. Tory MPs largely welcomed the announcement, but backbencher Tom Hunt warned that voters are cynical and expect the government to deliver on its promises.
Record numbers and recent trends
The Office for National Statistics estimated that net migration for the year to June 2023 was 672,000. The recent surge in numbers was driven by non-EU migrants, with the largest group coming from India. Students accounted for 39% of all non-EU arrivals, while work-related visas made up 33%.
Fresh deal with Rwanda
The government is also working on a new deal with Rwanda to tackle illegal arrivals. Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly is expected to travel to Rwanda's capital, Kigali, to sign a new treaty addressing the issues raised by the Supreme Court's ruling last month.
