Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major overhaul of the UK’s immigration policy, calling the current system a broken immigration system. The upcoming White Paper will introduce tougher visa rules aimed at reducing net migration and boosting domestic job opportunities.
Under the proposed reforms for the broken immigration structure, all visa applicants and their adult dependants must pass stricter English language tests. The government believes this will improve integration and reduce exploitation in the labor market.
Migrants will also face longer waits for permanent status in the newly structured immigration rules. Instead of qualifying for settlement after five years, most will now need to wait ten years. Only a few in critical roles—such as nurses, engineers, and AI specialists—will access a fast-track settlement option.
Starmer emphasized that settlement “must be earned, not given.” He said the new immigration proposal will address concerns that have arisen from what many see as a malfunctioning immigration system. This approach aims to fix the fundamentally broken immigration system we face today.
The reforms respond to growing concerns about industries relying too heavily on cheap foreign labor. Starmer criticized sectors like engineering, where visa numbers have soared but apprenticeships have dropped. He urged firms to invest in local skills instead of importing workers.
Labour will also raise the minimum skill threshold for work visas to graduate level. Current rules only require A-level qualifications. Additionally, temporary shortage visa rules will be tightened, with fewer job categories granted exceptions in this effort to address the broken immigration system.
Critics warn these rules could divide families if dependants struggle with English. However, research shows 90% of migrants already speak the language well. Still, poorer English skills remain linked to lower employment.
The changes are not immediate. New legislation is needed, so implementation will likely begin in 2026. Meanwhile, Labour’s stance marks a dramatic policy shift after years of dealing with a problematic immigration framework. A change in the broken immigration system is crucial for these reforms.
Net migration hit 906,000 in 2023 and dropped slightly to 728,000 in 2024. Labour hopes this package will bring those numbers down significantly.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also confirmed a care worker recruitment ban from overseas. Firms must now hire British workers or extend visas for current foreign staff.
These measures will remove up to 50,000 lower-skilled workers from migration totals over the next year in an effort to correct the problematic aspects of the immigration process.
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