The package of measures would result in approximately 300,000 individuals who arrived in the UK last year being ineligible to do so under the new regulations
- The key components of this plan include curtailing the influx of dependants, raising the minimum salaries for both overseas workers and British or settled individuals sponsoring family members, and addressing exploitation within the immigration system
The UK government has recently introduced a comprehensive set of measures to significantly reduce migration levels and prevent the abuse of the immigration system. This initiative, reported by connectedtoindia.com, marks the most substantial cut in net migration to date.
In an official statement, the UK government declared that this package of measures would result in approximately 300,000 individuals who arrived in the UK last year being ineligible to do so under the new regulations. The key components of this plan include curtailing the influx of dependants, raising the minimum salaries for both overseas workers and British or settled individuals sponsoring family members, and addressing exploitation within the immigration system.
One notable change involves tightening the Health and Care visa, particularly concerning care workers and their dependants. The government aims to restrict overseas care workers from bringing their dependants to the UK. Moreover, care providers in England will only be permitted to sponsor migrant workers engaged in activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
The government plans to raise the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50%, escalating it from £26,200 to £38,700 starting from the next spring. This increase aims to encourage businesses to prioritize British talent, invest in their local workforce, and discourage excessive reliance on migration. Additionally, the minimum income required for British citizens and settled individuals seeking to bring family members to the UK will also see an increase.
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The government will increase the annual Immigration Health Surcharge from £624 to £1,035
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This adjustment aims to ensure that migrants contribute fairly to public services, including the NHS
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The government highlighted that workers and their dependants constitute a significant portion of visa recipients, with Skilled Worker and Health and Care worker visas comprising 63% of work grants
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The proportion of work-related visas granted to dependants rose to 43% in the year ending September 2023
To address concerns about cut-price overseas labor, the government will terminate the 20% salary discount for shortage occupations and introduce a new Immigration Salary List to replace the Shortage Occupation List. The Migration Advisory Committee will review this list against heightened salary thresholds to reduce the number of occupations eligible.
A review of the Graduate visa route by the Migration Advisory Committee will also be conducted to ensure its alignment with the UK’s best interests and to prevent potential abuse.
These measures are made possible through the government’s prioritization of cultivating the domestic workforce, as outlined in the Back to Work Plan. This employment-focused support package, part of the Autumn Statement, builds on the ambitious £7bn employment initiative from the Spring Budget.
Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the necessity of reducing net migration to protect British workers and alleviate strain on public services. He stated that the plan aims to achieve the most significant-ever reduction in net migration, ensuring that those coming to the UK contribute economically and do not burden the state.
In addition to migration reduction measures, the government will increase the annual Immigration Health Surcharge from £624 to £1,035. This adjustment aims to ensure that migrants contribute fairly to public services, including the NHS. The government highlighted that workers and their dependants constitute a significant portion of visa recipients, with Skilled Worker and Health and Care worker visas comprising 63% of work grants. The proportion of work-related visas granted to dependants rose to 43% in the year ending September 2023.
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