The Government’s New Immigration Strategy for the UK

On 30 July 2024, the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, made an announcement to Parliament, confirming that the Government will retain many of the strict Immigration Rule changes which were introduced under the Conservatives, albeit there are changes.  This is in line with the Government’s aim to curb immigration abuse and reduce net migration.

What are Labour’s immediate proposals for immigration?

These include:

• abolishing the 20% going rate discount, so that employers can no longer pay overseas nationals less than UK workers in shortage occupations;
• restricting the ability of care workers to bring dependants with them to the UK, and requiring all care providers sponsoring migrants to register with the Care Quality Commission;
• continuing to implement proposed measure in relation to Student and Graduate routes, to minimise chances of abuse and exploitation.  This includes regulation of the recruitment of international students, scrutinising evidence used to meet financial requirements and reviewing English language assessments; and
• preventing the majority of overseas students from bringing family members to the UK.

The intention is that the remit of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will be strengthened, and that it will play a greater role in shaping immigration policy.  The MAC is a public body that advises the Government on migration issues, such as shortage occupations, relevant salaries for skilled workers, and seasonal worker visas.  The Home Office will work closely with the MAC to ensure a strategic approach to forecasting future trends, as well as continuing to review and provide independent evidence-based recommendations on key areas of the immigration system.  The MAC will also work more closely with existing cross-governmental bodies, such as Skills England, to identify skills shortages.  The MAC will be commissioned to look at the reliance of key sectors, such as IT and engineering, on international recruitment.

If you have any questions at all in relation to business immigration matters, or if you have any questions relating to the immigration status of a particular individual, please contact Nadine Marston on nmarston@boardside.co.uk.