On May 12th, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom announced a series of new measures aimed at significantly reducing net immigration numbers over the next four years. He stated that the policy of “open borders” had led to a system out of control and it was time to “regain control of the borders.”
According to official estimates, the eight core policies are expected to reduce immigration into the UK by approximately 100,000 people per year. While Starmer did not provide specific targets, he emphasized that the reforms would make the immigration system “more controlled and fair.”
The key measures of the new policy include:
– Extending the residency requirement for settlement applications from 5 to 10 years, unless applicants can prove a “genuine and enduring contribution” to the UK;
– Increasing language proficiency requirements, with all adult family members needing to possess basic English skills;
– Ending the nursing visa scheme, with businesses required to prioritize hiring local workers;
– Raising the immigration skills surcharge, with small and medium-sized enterprises paying up to £2,400 and large enterprises up to £6,600;
– Increasing the educational threshold for skilled visas from A-levels to undergraduate degrees, potentially rendering about 180 positions ineligible. However, some key industries may still be exempt, determined by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Additionally, the government is considering imposing a new tax on international students to fund local talent training. Universities will also face stricter criteria concerning the “completion rate” of their students.
Family reunion visas and refugee programs will also be tightened. In the future, only refugees recognized by the United Nations will be accepted, and there are plans to restrict the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding the “right to private and family life.”
Starmer stressed that the reforms are aimed at supporting British workers and reducing reliance on cheap foreign labor. He criticized industries that have become “addicted to low-wage immigrants” and stated that if housing and public services continue to face constraints, further policy tightening will be undertaken without hesitation.
The new policy has sparked various reactions. The Conservative Party welcomed it, calling it a “diluted version of conservative policies”; the Liberal Democrats demanded the government provide clear alternative employment plans; Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, criticized it as a mere “tweak” that wouldn’t truly change the situation.
There is internal division within the Labour Party as well, with some left-wing members finding the policy “too radical.” In response, Starmer stated that these changes are “common-sense” and necessary to end the “failed experiment of open borders.”
The full white paper will be presented to Parliament by the Home Secretary later. We will continue to monitor the developments.
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