UK immigration rules: New measures to reduce net migration

UK immigration rules are again set to change as the new government is also willing to reduce the net migration as the previous government initiated it int the beginning of the year. Since many changes in immigration rules over the past nine months have helped the UK decrease the number of immigrants, the policy is set to be tightened further.

As stated by the BBC on 25 September, elsewhere in his speech, Sir Keir will commit to reducing net migration by training Britons to fill vacancies in the jobs market rather than allowing employers to rely on overseas labor.

New Measures to Reduce Net Migration

The UK government has introduced new measures aimed at reducing the historically high levels of net migration in the UK. These actions support the Home Secretary’s strategy to address the underlying reasons for the country’s long-term reliance on international workers.

Targeting Sectors Dependent on Overseas Workers

Industries that heavily depend on foreign workers will be closely monitored to ensure they invest in training and developing skills within the UK. The goal is to reduce their dependence on international recruitment and encourage the growth of domestic talent.

Role of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)

The UK government will assign the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) the task of identifying sectors where skill shortages are leading to high levels of overseas recruitment. The MAC will provide an annual report to ministers, helping guide policy decisions aimed at addressing these shortages.

Strengthening Visa Sponsorship Rules

Stricter rules around visa sponsorship will be introduced to penalize employers who violate employment laws. These actions will limit their ability to recruit workers from abroad. This builds on current efforts, such as increased inspections by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the suspension or revocation of sponsor licenses for employers found exploiting migrant workers or abusing the immigration system.

Aligning Migration and Skills Policies

The Home Secretary’s plans emphasize linking migration policy with the UK’s broader skills and labor market strategies. The aim is to ensure that international recruitment isn’t the default solution for filling skill gaps. The government has confirmed that immigration system reforms made by the previous administration will remain in place.

Collaboration Across Government Agencies

A more unified approach across the government has been established, involving the newly created Skills England, the Industrial Strategy Council, and the Department for Work and Pensions. These bodies will collaborate with the MAC to ensure migration isn’t used as a shortcut to solving training or skill shortages within the UK.

Annual Industry Assessment

The MAC will provide an annual review to help industries address skill gaps. This will encourage employers to reduce their reliance on migrant workers and instead focus on improving workforce training, planning, and job quality for workers in the UK.

Focus on Key Sectors: IT and Engineering

The expanded role of the MAC will also include analyzing why specific industries, like IT and engineering, have consistently relied on international talent. The Home Secretary has already commissioned the MAC to examine these sectors and identify ways to develop the necessary skills domestically.

Decrease in the net migration in recent months

Decrease in health care and work visas

The following table shows the Health and Care Worker and Skilled Worker visa applications, both for main applicants and their dependants:

Change in Study Visas

Applications from main applicants and dependants of students from January to August for 2023 and 2024:

The above-mentioned changes are courtesy of many immigration rules changes by the UK government in 2024.