UK Immigration White Paper 2025 Aims to Restrict Visas
The new immigration rules will have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only migrants but also businesses, universities, and the broader economy. With the goal of reducing net migration, the government's plan has sparked concerns about the potential impact on key sectors, including social care and higher education.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil plans to tighten immigration rules in the UK, focusing on a "controlled, selective and fair" immigration system, with a goal to drive down net migration by the end of this parliament. The new rules will restrict skilled visas to people in graduate jobs and limit visas for lower-skilled roles to areas critical to the country's industrial strategy.
The UK government's immigration white paper outlines measures such as reversing the trend of increasing international recruitment, raising the skilled worker threshold to graduate level and above, and limiting access to the points-based immigration system to occupations with long-term shortages. Migrants on visas will no longer be eligible for welfare benefits or social housing, and English language requirements will be raised for all adult dependents.
The Labour Party's plan has been met with criticism from the Conservative Party, with Kemi Badenoch accusing Starmer of not being sincere about reducing immigration. The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have also expressed concerns about the impact of the plans on universities and the care sector. The CBI has warned that the plans could be too restrictive for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Thinktank British Future has warned that some of the measures in the immigration white paper could damage integration and go beyond what the public wants. The thinktank has also expressed concerns about the impact of the plans on migrant workers, particularly in the care sector. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, has claimed that Labour's plan will not do enough to control immigration.
The UK immigration white paper 2025 aims to create a more selective and fair immigration system, but its impact on businesses, universities, and migrant workers remains to be seen. As the debate on immigration continues, the government's approach will be closely watched by various stakeholders, including employers, universities, and migrant communities.