The UK government announced a five-point plan to reduce
unprecedented levels of immigration, including a significant increase in salaries
for skilled worker visas.
The move also includes a ban on health and care workers bringing family dependents to the UK, as well as a prohibition on employers paying workers 20% less than the market rate for jobs on the shortage occupation list.
For these visas, the minimum salary will climb from £26,200
to £38,700. Home Secretary James Cleverly condemned the high migration rate,
blaming it on "abuse" of health and care visas. This decision
parallels the strain on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has been under fire following
a year with a record 745,000 net immigration.
As part of a campaign to limit the influx of foreign workers
entering the country, the UK government plans to raise the minimum income for
acquiring a skilled worker visa from £26,200 to £38,700 in the coming year. The
minimum income for family visas would also rise from £26,200 to £38,700, making
family reunification even more difficult for many overseas workers. To
prevent potential exploitation, the government is now evaluating the graduate
visa route.
Home Secretary Cleverly has warned that the revamped immigration system may deny benefits to nearly 300,000 UK citizens. He underlined the importance of having fair, lawful, and long-term immigration policies. Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, slammed the government's migration plan, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive plan for educating and attracting British workers. Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, raised alarm over the impact on the NHS and social care, calling the measures "cruel" and warning of potential disaster, particularly in areas with staff shortages. Stakeholders are divided over the impact on the workforce, particularly in healthcare and social care.
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