&w=3840&q=100)
UK: Migrants a political problem, Starmer moots $4 bn-plan to upskill 120,000 British workers
The UK government has authorised plans to train over 120,000 builders, engineers and care workers to cut down the country's dependence on foreign labour as the Keir Starmer-led government moves to curb immigration.
The administration has allocated $4.1 billion to offer new apprenticeships, according to an official release on Tuesday. A 32 per cent hike in the Immigration Skills Charge, a fee paid by employers who sponsor skilled foreign workers, is expected to fund 45,000 additional training spots in sectors like construction and social care, which rely significantly on migrant labour. The government is also supporting initiatives aimed at adult education.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Tuesday's statement said a planned 32 per cent rise in the immigration skills charge, designed to dissuade businesses from hiring foreign workers, would deliver up to 45,000 additional training places to 'upskill the domestic workforce and reduce reliance on migration' in priority sectors.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, 'We're taking our responsibility seriously providing more routes into employment.'
Businesses have said they cannot hire enough staff locally, warning that the tougher rules would harm the economy unless they were accompanied by a fundamental overhaul of the country's skills training system.
Britain's PM Starmer has a two-pronged task ahead of him: to boost the indigenous workforce, all while clamping down on migration. His Labour Party has recently announced that the government will increase its English-speaking requirement for overseas workers which will eventually make it harder for migrants to stay in the country.
A recent analysis by Boston Consulting Group warned that the UK's supply chains could be strained by the $1.2 trillion in public and private infrastructure investment projected by the end of 2029. The report advised expanding the shortage occupations list to ease recruitment of overseas workers and suggested loosening English language requirements for key visa categories.
With inputs from agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Collapse of governance': Cong, AAP hit out at BJP as waterlogging paralyses Chandigarh
As the heavy rainfall that lashed Chandigarh on Tuesday again exposed the fragility of the city's infrastructure, both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party- (BJP-) led Municipal Corporation (MC), saying that this is the 'collapse of governance' and that the party's development model has been 'exposed'. Chandigarh Pradesh Congress Committee president H S Lucky said that the MC has 'completely failed' in ensuring basic flood management despite being in power for years. Lucky said that while Chandigarh proudly holds the second rank in the Swachh Survekshan survey, just one hour of rainfall was enough to paralyse traffic, disrupt daily life, and leave residents stranded across several parts of the city. 'This is not just waterlogging — this is the collapse of governance. The city came to a grinding halt because the BJP has failed to create even a basic drainage and disaster-preparedness system,' he remarked. Lucky further pointed out that nine out of the last ten mayors of Chandigarh have been from the BJP, yet little to nothing has been done to strengthen civic infrastructure. 'The BJP has enjoyed power in the Municipal Corporation for years, but the condition of the city's roads and drains clearly shows their negligence. Citizens are paying the price for political apathy,' he added. The Congress leader demanded immediate corrective measures from the municipal authorities to restore public safety and prevent such chaos from recurring in the future. He urged the administration to initiate a complete overhaul of the city's drainage and urban planning systems, ensuring that residents do not continue to suffer during the monsoon season. 'The people of Chandigarh deserve better governance and accountable leadership. It is time the municipal authorities wake up to their responsibilities,' Lucky said. Meanwhile, the AAP also came down heavily on the BJP-led MC, saying that the downpour has 'exposed the so-called development model of the BJP,' as flooded streets, stranded vehicles, and hours of traffic snarls left citizens struggling. 'For years, the Municipal Corporation has been under BJP's control. Crores of rupees from the budget went into contractors' pockets, yet the city neither got a robust drainage system nor a flood management plan. The BJP has treated Chandigarh only as a vote bank, ignoring the real issues of its citizens,' AAP Chandigarh president Vijay Pal Singh said. He further questioned the utilisation of civic funds, pointing out that the cleaning and maintenance of drains were often carried out only on paper. Singh demanded a high-level probe into the alleged negligence and corruption, with strict action against officials and contractors found guilty. 'The BJP is only skilled in hoardings, advertisements, and sloganeering. Their real contribution to the people is roads full of potholes and waterlogging,' the AAP city chief concluded.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
8 candidates appear before panel as VC interview starts
Kolkata: Eight vice-chancellor candidates appeared before the former CJI-led committee as the final round of interviews for the appointment of VCs at 14 state universities began on Tuesday. The panel, led by ex-CJI U U Lalit, will conduct the process till Thursday. The names will be finalised before Aug 28, as indicated by state education minister Bratya Basu recently. The selection process started with three universities —Calcutta University, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (Makaut) and North Bengal University. Each university was assigned an one-hour slot, when eight out of nine shortlisted VC candidates appeared for interviews for the three universities. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata While all the three shortlisted candidates for each of MAKAUT and NBU appeared before the search panel, for CU, only two VC-aspirants—Asutosh Ghosh and Debatosh Guha—came. The third shortlisted VC candidate for CU, Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee, has already been appointed by the Supreme Court as the Rabindra Bharati University VC. An official said six universities—Jadavpur University, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University, Netaji Subhas Open University, Biswa Bangla University, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya and Sadhu Ramchand Murmu University—were scheduled for Wednesday. On Thursday, Raiganj University, Sanskrit College and University, Diamond Harbour Women's University, Gour Banga University and Harichand Guruchand University are slated. While the search panel was formed to appoint VCs to 17 state universities, the process is not being conducted for two. Barasat University, where Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee was earlier the VC, has not been included this time. Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, has been excluded as SC already appointed Sanchari Mukhopadhyay as its VC. A legal battle has been on over state university VC appointments. A search panel for the selection of VCs, led by the former CJI, was formed. It conducted the selection process, based on a consensus between governor C V Ananda Bose and CM Mamata Banerjee, and appointed 19 VCs. But the process was stalled for 17 varisities amid lack of unanimity on names. To resolve the issue, the SC directed a final round of interviews be held, where three shortlisted candidates for each varsity should appear for selection. Of the 17, Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University already got its VC. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Officials review J'khand Odia-medium schools
1 2 Keonjhar: A group of officials from the district education office, Keonjhar, reviewed the condition of Odia-medium schools in Jharkhand on Tuesday after the Utkal Sammilani, Jharkhand, moved the Odisha govt over non-payment of assistance to these schools. The sammilani has said the teachers continue to teach despite not receiving salaries since two years. Separate teams visited Odia-medium schools in West Singhbhum and Sadheikala Kharsuan districts. "As per the govt's direction, we sent officials to study the condition of schools, collect data on the number of students and teachers. A report will be submitted to the government," said Purnachandra Bariha, district education officer, Keonjhar. One team led by additional district education officer, Keonjhar, Shrikant Kumar Jena visited Odia Primary School, Deogaon, Odia Primary School ,Kolchakada, Adarsh Madhya Vidyalaya, Deogaon (Kendo), Odia Middle School, Old Basti, Utkaramik Madhya Vidyalaya, Jola, among others in West Singhbhum district. Similarly, in Sadheikala-Kharsuan district, another team headed by Rudra Narayan Samal, additional district education officer, Kendujhar, visited schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Compliance Easy With These Identity Governance Tools AskLayers Learn More Undo The team members discussed with teachers engaged by Utkal Sammilani about Odia studies and examinations in the presence sammilani's education inspectors Saroj Pradhan in West Singhbhum and Sushil Kumar Sadangi in Sadheikala-Kharsuan. The sammilani's Sadheikala-Kharsuan district president Sumant Chandra Mohanty was also present. According to Utkal Sammilani, Jharkhand, there are 118 Odia-speaking schools in the state and 154 Odia teachers are teaching 5,000 children in those. However, they are receiving salaries through financial grants from the Odisha govt but due to lack of grants, they have not received salaries for 2020-21 and 2024-25, said Pradhan. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
