Sir Keir Starmer has promised the government's new immigration measures will mean net migration falls "significantly" over the next four years. The prime minister unveiled plans to ban recruitment of care workers from overseas, tighten access to skilled worker visas and raise the costs to employers in an effort to curb near record net migration. He did not set a precise target, but the Home Office estimated the policies could lead to a 100,000 drop in immigration per year by 2029 - based on analysis of just eight of the core policies where "a quantitative assessment" could be made. Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch said: "This is nowhere near the scale of the change we need to see." Sir Keir argued the proposals set out on Monday bring the immigration system "back into control", denying it was a response to the electoral success of Reform UK. The new plans, which tackle legal migration to the UK, will "make sure...it is selective, that we decide who comes to this country, and that it is fair," the prime minister said. The government will scrap a visa scheme, set up by Boris Johnson's government, that allows firms to hire health and social care workers from overseas. Instead, firms will be required to hire British nationals or extend the visas of overseas workers already in the country. Home Office figures estimate this change will cut the number of workers coming to the UK by between 7,000 and 8,000 a year. Employers will also be asked to pay more to hire foreign staff. The Immigration Skills Charge will increase by 32%, leading smaller firms to pay up to £2,400 to sponsor workers to come to the UK, while large firms will pay up to £6,600. Universities could also be hit by higher charges. The government plans to look into a new tax on every international student enrolled in a UK university, with the proceeds redirected into skills training. At the same time, colleges must meet stricter thresholds, with at least 95% of international students expected to start their course and 90% expected to finish. The qualification requirements to apply for a skilled worker visa will go back up, reversing changes made under Boris Johnson's government. It will mean new applicants will generally need a degree-level qualification, rather than the equivalent of A-level, which ministers say will make around 180 job roles ineligible for the visa route. Lower qualification requirements will remain for sectors facing long-term shortages, or those considered key to the government's industrial strategy - although it is not yet clear what that means in practice, and the government's migration advisory body has been asked to recommend roles for inclusion. The government also said: The government will also explore changing the law on how the right to a family life contained in Article 8 in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied in immigration cases. Government sources indicated a parliamentary vote on the plans was likely, to clarify Parliament's view to the courts. Successive governments have tried unsuccessfully to reduce net migration, which is the number of people coming to the UK minus the number leaving. Net migration climbed to a record 906,000 in June 2023, and last year it stood at 728,000. Speaking before the publication of the Immigration White Paper, Sir Keir accused industries being "almost addicted to importing cheap labour" instead of "investing in the skills of people here and want a good job in their community". Asked if net migration would fall every year due to the plans, Sir Keir said: "I'm promising it will fall significantly. "And I do want to get it down by the end of this Parliament, significantly. "That is what this plan is intended to achieve." He also said there could be further restrictions saying, "if we do need to do more to release pressure on housing and public services, then mark my words we will". The Conservatives have announced they plan to support policies such as tightening visas - which Badenoch argued were "watered down" versions of Tory policies. The Conservatives want a binding migration cap, set by Parliament. The Liberal Democrats said it was "right" for the government to tackle immigration, but the party's Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart called for a "clear plan to make it easier to recruit British workers to fill vacancies instead". Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Labour had introduced the changes because it was "obviously very panicked" about the rise of his party at the local elections. The White Paper was "tinkering around the edges," he argued and "even if the numbers do reduce, they'll still be at massive historic highs". While the Green Party has denounced the proposals as a "panicked and misguided" attempt to "create headlines and try to win back Reform voters". In a statement, Carla Denyer, the party's co-leader, said: "Far from rebuilding our communities, this government's reforms are going to make things worse." Sir Keir dismissed claims the plans were reacting to the threat from Reform, telling broadcasters: "I'm doing this because it is right, because it is fair and because it is what I believe in." He repeatedly attacked the previous Conservative government's immigration approach as an "open borders experiment", which was now over. The UK risks "becoming an island of strangers" without strong rules on immigration and integration, he added. Some on the left have accused Sir Keir of going too far on immigration. One Labour MP, Nadia Whittome, accused the prime minister of mimicking "the scaremongering of the far-right". In a social media post she said: "The step-up in anti-migrant rhetoric from the government is shameful and dangerous." Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletterto read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Immigration to drop 'significantly' under visa changes, says PM
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK Government Unveils Immigration Reforms Aimed at Reducing Net Migration"
Bbc News
6.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Sir Keir Starmer has outlined a series of new immigration measures aimed at significantly reducing net migration over the next four years. The prime minister's proposals include a ban on the recruitment of care workers from abroad, stricter access to skilled worker visas, and increased costs for employers hiring foreign staff. While no specific target for net migration was set, the Home Office estimates that these policies could potentially decrease immigration by approximately 100,000 individuals annually by 2029. Starmer emphasized the need for a more controlled immigration system, arguing that the new measures would ensure fairness and selectivity in determining who can enter the UK. Notably, the government intends to eliminate a visa scheme that facilitated the hiring of health and social care workers from overseas, compelling employers to hire British nationals or extend the visas of current foreign workers instead.
The proposed changes also include a substantial increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, which will rise by 32%, resulting in smaller firms paying up to £2,400 and larger companies up to £6,600 to sponsor foreign workers. Furthermore, the government is considering a new tax on international students to fund skills training, alongside stricter requirements for colleges regarding international student enrollment and completion rates. The qualification criteria for skilled worker visas will revert to requiring degree-level qualifications, impacting around 180 job roles that previously qualified under lower standards. Although some exemptions will remain for sectors facing labor shortages, there is uncertainty about which roles will be included. Starmer's plans have drawn mixed reactions, with some critics arguing that the measures are insufficient and others expressing concern over the potential negative impact on communities and the economy. He has rejected claims that these proposals were a reaction to the rise of Reform UK, asserting that the reforms are necessary for the integrity of the immigration system and the country’s future.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article outlines the UK government's new immigration policies aimed at significantly reducing net migration over the next few years. By introducing tighter regulations on skilled worker visas and banning the recruitment of care workers from abroad, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer intends to regain control over the immigration system. The measures are positioned as a response to public concerns about immigration levels, yet they also reflect broader political dynamics, particularly in light of competition from right-leaning parties.
Intent Behind the Publication
This news serves to convey the government's commitment to addressing immigration, a topic that resonates with a significant portion of the electorate. The announcement aims to foster a sense of reassurance among voters who may feel overwhelmed by current immigration levels. By framing the new policies as a proactive step, the government seeks to mitigate criticism and reinforce its legitimacy.
Public Perception
The article likely aims to create a perception that the government is taking decisive action to manage immigration effectively. By presenting the policies as a way to ensure fairness and selectivity in who is allowed to enter the country, it attempts to appeal to those who prioritize national control over immigration processes. However, there are dissenting voices, such as Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch, indicating that some factions perceive these changes as insufficient.
Potential Concealment of Issues
While the article focuses on the immigration policies, there may be underlying economic or social issues that are not addressed. For instance, the potential impact on sectors reliant on foreign labor, such as healthcare and education, is not thoroughly explored. This omission could be seen as an attempt to downplay the risks associated with these policy changes.
Manipulative Aspects
The article has a moderate level of manipulativeness. Language suggesting control and fairness frames immigration as a binary issue, ignoring the complexities involved in labor shortages and the economic contributions of migrants. By emphasizing a quantitative target for reduction without directly addressing the potential consequences, the article may inadvertently oversimplify the debate.
Reliability of Information
The reliability of the article can be considered moderate. While it presents factual information regarding proposed policy changes, the framing may lead to selective interpretation. The lack of detailed analysis on the potential repercussions of these policies raises questions about the completeness of the information provided.
Societal and Economic Implications
The proposed immigration changes could have significant implications for various sectors, particularly those that depend on foreign workers. The increased costs for hiring foreign staff may deter businesses, potentially leading to labor shortages in critical industries. Additionally, the focus on local hiring could strain the job market, especially in sectors where domestic labor is insufficient.
Target Audience
The article appears to target conservative voters or those concerned about immigration levels. By framing the policies as a means of ensuring fairness and control, it seeks to resonate with the sentiments of individuals who prioritize national sovereignty and are wary of immigration.
Market Impact
In terms of financial markets, sectors such as healthcare and education may experience volatility based on these immigration policies. Companies reliant on foreign talent might see fluctuations in stock performance due to potential labor shortages or increased operational costs associated with hiring foreign workers.
Geopolitical Context
While the article focuses on domestic immigration issues, it reflects broader trends in global migration and national policies. By tightening immigration controls, the UK aligns with a growing trend among various governments to impose stricter immigration regulations, potentially affecting its international relations and labor market dynamics.
Artificial Intelligence Influence
There is no direct indication that artificial intelligence was used in drafting this article. However, AI models could have influenced the overall narrative style, framing the discussion around immigration in a manner that emphasizes statistics and policy implications over personal stories or broader social contexts.
Conclusion
In summary, this article presents a government initiative that seeks to reassure the public while also navigating the complex landscape of immigration policy. Its reliability is moderate, reflecting factual content but potentially lacking in comprehensive analysis of consequences. The framing could be seen as manipulative, emphasizing control and fairness while glossing over the broader implications of such policies.