Latest news with #RestoringControlovertheImmigrationSystem
New Statesman
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Statesman
Starmer moves right on immigration
This week saw potentially the boldest moment of Keir Starmer's leadership, as the Government announced its white paper – Restoring Control over the Immigration System. According to the Prime Minister, it marks a a significant overhaul of UK immigration policy. The headlines, however, have been less kind – focussing on the wording of his speech announcing the plans, specifically on the phrase 'island of strangers'… Some were quick to compare this to Enoch Powell's infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech in which Powell talks of white British people becoming 'strangers in their own country'. Subscribers to the New Statesman can listen ad-free in our app. Download it on iOS or Android. Not a regular podcast listener? Read our guide on how to listen to New Statesman Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
Mint
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
From students to IT engineers, how stricter UK visa rules spell trouble for Indians' immigration plans
In view of the rising net migration in the UK, the Labour Party-led British government released a white paper that outlined its plan to crack down on immigration. This is not good news for Indians aspiring to settle in the UK. A white paper titled 'Restoring Control over the Immigration System' encapsulates the plan of the Keir Starmer-led Labour government to crack down on rising migration. The plan entails a higher threshold for getting work visas, widening the net of English language proficiency to dependents and importantly, stretching the time period for becoming eligible to apply for citizenship. The government statement says that the white paper sets out plans to create an immigration system that promotes growth but is controlled and managed. The white paper mentions that the threshold for skilled worker visas should be raised to the graduate level from the current A-level measure. This will adversely impact the care workers who are hired from overseas. There are expectations that the changes will cut up to 50,000 lower skilled and care workers who are likely to come to the UK in the next year. Migrants will have to wait 10 years to apply to settle in the UK, rather than five years under the current system. This means migrants who come on a work visa to the UK will be eligible to apply for ILR (indefinite leave to remain) after 10 years instead of the current five. Another rule which has been put in place is the English language requirement across every immigration route into the UK. This is the first time that adult dependents will have to demonstrate some proficiency in English to integrate with the population. Critics have said that this would lead to a split in families when partners or parents fail to qualify for basic English skills. Currently, students are eligible to stay unsponsored on a graduate visa for two years. The white paper recommends reducing this period to 18 months. The graduate visa was reintroduced in 2021 to allow graduates to stay in the UK for 24 months (36 for PhD holders) so that they can look for a job during this period. The white paper mentions that only 30 per cent of surveyed graduate visa holders were employed in professional occupations, whereas others were either unemployed or employed in administrative or secretarial occupations.
Arab Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
UK unveils immigration reforms to cut net migration by 100,000 a year
LONDON, May 13: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the United Kingdom's immigration system, aiming to reduce net migration by approximately 100,000 annually by 2029. The government's new white paper, titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, outlines several key measures designed to tighten immigration controls and ensure a more selective and fair system. The proposed reforms include: Care Worker Recruitment Ban: The government plans to end the recruitment of overseas care workers by 2028. Employers will be required to hire British nationals or extend the visas of existing foreign workers. This change is expected to reduce the number of care workers coming to the UK by 7,000 to 8,000 annually. Skilled Worker Visa Reforms: The qualification requirements for skilled worker visas will be raised to degree-level, reversing previous reductions. This adjustment is anticipated to make approximately 180 job roles ineligible for the visa route. However, lower qualification thresholds will remain for sectors facing long-term shortages or those critical to the government's industrial strategy.n Increased Employer Charges: The Immigration Skills Charge will rise by 32%, with smaller firms paying up to £2,400 and larger firms up to £6,600 to sponsor foreign workers.n International Student Measures: The post-study visa duration for international students will be reduced from two years to 18 months. Additionally, a 6% levy on income from international students will be introduced, with proceeds directed towards skills training. Colleges must also meet stricter thresholds, with at least 95% of international students expected to start their courses and 90% expected to complete them. Extended Residency Requirement for Citizenship: The time required to live in the UK before applying for settled status will double from five to ten years. A fast-track system will be established for "high-skilled, high-contributing" individuals. Refugee Employment Restrictions: A "limited pool" of refugees and displaced individuals recognized by the United Nations will be eligible to apply for jobs through existing skilled-worker routes.n Stricter Enforcement and Legal Reforms: The government will explore changes to the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in immigration cases, aiming to streamline deportations. Enforcement measures will be strengthened to ensure compliance. Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that these measures are necessary to address the challenges posed by high levels of immigration. He stated, "Without stronger rules on immigration and integration, the UK risks becoming an island of strangers." He also dismissed claims that the reforms were a response to the electoral success of Reform UK, asserting, "I'm doing this because it is right, because it is fair and because it is what I believe in." Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the government's approach, stating, "This is nowhere near the scale of the change we need to see." The Liberal Democrats called for a clear plan to make it easier to recruit British workers to fill vacancies. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argued that Labour's changes were a response to the rise of his party at the local elections. The Green Party denounced the proposals as a "panicked and misguided" attempt to win back Reform voters.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UK PM Keir Starmer tightens immigration: higher job bar, shorter student stay, tougher deportation in new visa reset; here's what we know
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a wide-ranging reform of the immigration system with a new white paper titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System. The 82-page document signals a clear departure from previous approaches, as Starmer's Labour government seeks to address rising migration and public pressure following its landslide win last July. The Prime Minister said net migration had spiralled out of control under past policies, increasing from 224,000 in 2019 to 906,000 in 2023 almost matching the population of Birmingham. He stated the reforms are designed to reduce migration, end dependence on cheap foreign labour, and build a workforce through British investment. 'Migration will fall': Ending cheap labour, raising skill bar One of the key reforms is the decision to raise the skilled worker threshold to a degree-level qualification (RQF 6). The existing Immigration Salary List, which allowed lower wages in select sectors, will be scrapped. Only occupations facing long-term shortages with official workforce strategies will now qualify under the points-based system. A new Labour Market Evidence Group will be established to assess workforce demands. The government has also announced a halt on new international recruitment for adult social care roles. Those already working in the UK under existing visas can extend them until 2028 under a transition period. Starmer emphasised that the reforms aim to shift focus from short-term foreign hiring to long-term training and employment of local workers. Tighter rules for students, families, and deportations The new framework brings significant changes for international students. The post-study visa duration will be reduced from two years to 18 months. Educational institutions sponsoring overseas students will now face strict compliance checks and could have recruitment limits. Family and private life immigration rules will also be streamlined. A major change is in deportation policy. Under the new rules, even those convicted of minor offences, not just prison sentences can face deportation. The reforms also promise stricter consequences for crimes like violence against women and girls. Crackdown on abuse, illegal entry, and longer citizenship process To prevent abuse of the system, the UK government plans to impose sanctions and visa restrictions on countries that repeatedly misuse the UK's immigration pathways. Asylum rules will be tightened, especially for those seeking refuge after arriving in the UK, without visible changes in their home countries. Sponsors of migrant workers and students who violate rules will face higher fines. The reforms also propose that the path to citizenship will now take 10 years double the current duration. A points-based citizenship model is under development, with more details expected later this year. Focus remains on global talent in key sectors While the overall approach is tighter, the UK government is still encouraging entry of high-skilled individuals. The white paper highlights plans to boost sectors such as science and technology through accelerated visa processes. This includes an expanded Global Talent visa scheme and similar programmes aimed at attracting global experts.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UK announces measures to tighten immigration policies amid rising voter anger
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, May 12, revealed a wide-ranging overhaul of the United Kingdom's immigration system. The Immigration White Paper , titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, introduced sweeping changes to work, student, family, and asylum visa routes. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare The reforms have been announced as Starmer's Labour government , which won last July in a landslide win, is increasingly under pressure to secure the UK's borders as it faces public disgruntlement and political pushback. The 82-page paper marked the UK government's formal break from past immigration policies. He said the previous policies had allowed net migration to spiral out of control. Between 2019 and 2023, the net migration in the UK rose from 224,000 to 906,000. This quadrupled and is equivalent to the population of Birmingham. Starmer said their plan means migration will fall, adding that the UK must end their reliance on cheap labour and rather invest in British workers. Live Events Major changes across UK immigration routes Under the proposed framework, the skilled worker threshold will be raised to a degree-level qualification (RQF 6), BBC reported. The Immigration Salary List—which enabled recruitment at lower wages—will be scrapped. Moreover, only jobs with long-term shortages and workforce strategies will qualify under the points-based system. Additionally, a new Labour Market Evidence Group will be assessing sector needs based on data, while employers will be urged to expand domestic training. The UK will be halting new international recruitment for adult social care roles. Visa extensions for those who are already in Britain will be permitted until 2028 during a transition period. Also Read : Who is Edan Alexander? American-Israeli hostage set to be freed by Hamas after more than 500 days in Gaza Students and families affected The new immigration paper presented will be impacting the international students, who plan to stay in the UK after their education. The post-study stay has been reduced from two years to 18 months. Moreover, the education providers sponsoring overseas students will face stringent compliance rules and possible recruitment caps. As per local media reports, family and private life immigration rules will also be streamlined, and deportation rules will be revised. Earlier, only those foreign nationals who were sentenced to prison could be deported. However, after new amendments, any immigrant convicted of any offence may face deportation. Crimes like violence against women and girls will likely see stringent exceptions. Tackling abuse, illegal entry The UK government also intends to levy new sanctions and visa restrictions on countries that continually misuse the UK's immigration system. Asylum seekers will have tighter conditions if the situation in their home countries do not change and they seek asylum after arrival. Fines for the sponsors of rule-violating migrant workers and students will rise as well. Also Read : American Idol 2025 contestants: Who got eliminated in the latest round? No points for guessing Longer path to citizenship, focus on talent The settlement qualifying period will double to 10 years and the UK government will be introducing points-based system citizenship, while more details will be released later this year. Despite overall tightening, the UK seeks to increase access for leading global talent. Science and technology sectors, for example, could be boosted by accelerated entry routes including expansion of the Global Talent visa and other high-skilled schemes. FAQs What is the UK Immigration White Paper, and why was it published? The Immigration White Paper sets out the Labour government's plans to cut net migration, simplify visa categories, and take back control of immigration. Who will be worst hit by the new immigration regulations? The reforms will affect foreign workers with low skills (particularly in social care), international students, and potential settlers. Yet, highly skilled professionals in strategic fields can look forward to eased restrictions.
