UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has introduced an ambitious reform of the country’s immigration policies, designed to reshape the labour market, reduce dependency on foreign workers, and rebuild public trust.
Ahead of the release of the much-anticipated Immigration White Paper, Cooper criticized the previous government’s approach and presented a fresh “Plan for Change,” which seeks to tighten immigration regulations while strengthening domestic skill development.
“Migration must be properly controlled and managed so the system is fair,” Cooper remarked.
“Instead, we’ve seen net migration quadruple in just four years, largely driven by overseas recruitment,” she continued.
Cooper argued that the former government’s decision to replace free movement with “a free market experiment” led to an over-reliance on foreign labour, without corresponding investments in training local workers.
This, she claimed, has resulted in an increase in overseas recruitment, a rise in economic inactivity in the UK, and diminished public trust in the system.
“This has undermined public confidence, distorted our labour market, and been deeply damaging to both our immigration system and our economy,” she added.
“Under our Plan for Change, we are taking decisive action to restore control and order to the immigration system, increase domestic training and skills, and reduce net migration while fostering economic growth.”
Key Changes Under the UK Immigration Plan
1. Work Visas Restricted to Degree-Level Jobs
Going forward, only positions requiring degree-level qualifications will be eligible for work visas, with a substantial increase in the minimum salary threshold. This measure aims to limit low-skilled immigration and ensure that only high-skilled positions are filled by foreign workers.
2. Tightened Rules on Lower-Skilled Work Visas
Visas for lower-skilled occupations will be granted only in rare and exceptional cases of significant shortages. Even then, these visas will be stringently regulated, and companies will need to demonstrate efforts to train UK workers.
3. Establishment of an Expert Panel
A new independent panel will be formed to monitor industries heavily reliant on foreign workers. This panel will challenge these sectors to reduce their dependency on international recruitment and increase investment in developing the UK workforce.
4. **More Rigorous Sponsorship Requirements for Employers
Employers wishing to sponsor overseas workers will be required to submit detailed plans showing how they intend to address local labour shortages. These plans may include raising wages, offering apprenticeships, or expanding training programs for UK residents.
5. Reforms to Student and Family Visas
Though specific details remain unclear, reforms are expected to impact student and family visa categories. The government has indicated these changes will focus on ensuring better control, promoting contributions to society, and strengthening community cohesion.
