Rishi Sunak Unveils 5-Step Plan to Slash Migration by 300k & Blasts ‘Enough is Enough’
Rishi Sunak has announced a series of tough new measures aimed at reducing net migration in the UK by 300,000 per year. The move comes as net migration reached a record high of 745,000 in 2022, placing an immense strain on public services. Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, is determined to deliver the biggest ever cut in net migration and has called for a shift towards hiring and training home-grown talent.
Writing in The Sun, Sunak criticized previous prime ministers, including Boris Johnson, for failing to deliver on promises to control immigration numbers. Sunak expressed his frustration, stating that despite Brexit and the introduction of the points-based immigration system, immigration figures have continued to rise. He emphasized that enough is enough and it is time to gain control over immigration once and for all.
The proposed measures will be supported by legislation aimed at minimizing the risk of legal defeats. Under the planned changes, foreign workers will need to earn a minimum of £38,700 in order to come to the UK, preventing them from undercutting British workers. The government is also considering banning care workers from bringing their families to the UK, with the aim of reducing migration by a staggering 300,000.
Home Secretary James Cleverly revealed a comprehensive five-point plan, outlining additional measures to address the issue. These include restrictions on care workers bringing their families and discouraging employers from hiring overseas workers at a lower rate. According to Cleverly, these measures would have prevented entry for 300,000 individuals last year. He emphasized the necessity for a fair, legal, and sustainable immigration policy.
As part of the clampdown, the shortage occupation list, which allows companies to bring in workers on visas at a discounted rate of 20%, will be abolished. The salary threshold for foreign workers will also be increased from £26,200 to £38,700, a 48% rise, satisfying right-wing Tory MPs who have been advocating for this change. However, the new rules will not apply to health and social care workers due to staffing concerns for the NHS.
The health immigration surcharge will also be raised by 66%, from £624 to £1,035, and a review of the graduate route, permitting individuals to stay in the UK for two years after completing their university studies, will be conducted. The government has recently implemented restrictions on students bringing dependents to the UK, and now aims to further scrutinize this route.
The opposition Labour Party’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, criticized the government’s immigration policy, labeling it a total failure. Cooper argued that the government’s mishandling of immigration has contributed to chaos in both the immigration system and the economy.
The recent surge in migration has been driven by non-EU migrants, particularly from India, accounting for 253,000 arrivals. Students represent the largest proportion of non-EU arrivals at 39%, followed by individuals on work-related visas at 33%.
In addition to addressing legal migration, the government is also set to negotiate a new agreement with Rwanda to tackle illegal immigration. Home Secretary James Cleverly is expected to travel to Kigali soon to finalize the treaty, responding to concerns raised by the Supreme Court, which ruled the government’s previous policy unlawful.
While the proposed measures have garnered mixed reactions, with some Conservative MPs supporting them as a step in the right direction, others have expressed skepticism about the government’s commitment to reducing migration. The government’s 2019 manifesto aimed to reduce net migration to below 250,000, while former Prime Minister David Cameron had pledged to bring it below 100,000.
In summary, Rishi Sunak’s 5-step plan to slash migration by 300,000 has attracted attention and criticism alike. With increased salary thresholds and restrictions on care worker visas, the government aims to prioritize home-grown talent and alleviate the strain on public services caused by high levels of migration. The proposed changes will likely have significant implications for immigration and the UK’s workforce.
