UK The Labour government has introduced new immigration measures to reduce net migration. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the changes ahead of the release of the Immigration White Paper.
Starmer stated, “This is a clean break from the past uk and will ensure settlement in uk this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right.”
He added, “And when people come to our country, they uk should also commit uk to integration and to learning our language.”
Figure 1: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that new arrivals should commit to ‘learning our language’
Ten-year requirement for settlement
Migrants must now live in the UK for ten years before uk applying for citizenship. This change replaces the previous five-year residency rule. Exceptions will apply for high-contributing individuals.
These include nurses, doctors, engineers and AI professionals. A new uk contribution-based model will assess eligibility for fast-tracked settlement.
The Home Office will consult stakeholders before finalising the model. The proposed changes aim to curb the UK’s reliance on overseas labour.
English tests introduced for all adult dependents
The new rules require every adult dependent of foreign workers to pass an English test. Those entering the UK must clear an A1 level test.
Visa extensions will need an A2 level test. Settlement applicants must pass a B2 level exam. These tests check a range of English skills.
They include basic conversation, reading complex texts and engaging fluently in discussions. The government says these measures will support integration and employment.
Dr Madeleine Sumption from the University of Oxford stated that language requirements may reduce visa numbers. She said over half of skilled worker visas recently went to dependents.
Changes to work visas and employer responsibilities
The government will limit work visas for non-graduate jobs. Foreign students will face stricter post-study stay rules.
Employers must prove efforts to recruit local staff before hiring from overseas. Firms repeatedly failing this may lose sponsor rights.
Targeted sectors include IT and engineering. A new Labour Market Evidence Group will monitor reliance on foreign labour.
The group includes industry officials, government representatives and the Migration Advisory Council. It aims to reverse underinvestment in local skills.
End to automatic care worker recruitment from abroad
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced an end to overseas care worker recruitment. Care companies must now hire from local or already-present migrants.
Cooper said unscrupulous employers had exploited some foreign workers. She suggested care firms extend visas of current staff or hire from other local visa holders.
She said, “Care companies should be recruiting from those workers. They can also extend existing visas.”
Unions and sector leaders criticised the announcement. Care England called the change a “crushing blow” to the fragile sector.
Martin Green from Care England said, “International recruitment wasn’t a silver bullet, but it was a lifeline.”
Christina McAnea from Unison added, “The NHS and the care sector would have collapsed long ago without the thousands of workers who’ve come to the UK from overseas.”
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Stricter deportation rules for foreign offenders
The Home Office will track all convictions of foreign nationals. Deportation may now apply even without a prison sentence.
Foreigners on the sex offender register will be considered serious criminals. These individuals will lose asylum protections.
Previously, only those sentenced to a year or more in jail were eligible for deportation. This policy aims to increase removals of convicted migrants.
Public and expert responses
Net migration stood at 728,000 in mid-2024. It peaked at 903,000 in 2023 after Brexit and far exceeded the 2015 figure of 329,000.
Experts question the reforms’ short-term impact. Dr Sumption said extending settlement timelines may not deter migration.
She added it could increase visa revenue and limit migrant settlement. She highlighted language rules as more likely to reduce visa grants.
The Home Office has yet to estimate the migration reduction from the new rules. Further details will emerge during Monday’s parliamentary session.
Reform UK recently gained support in council elections and polls. Labour’s changes appear to respond to rising public concern over immigration.
Summary of key measures:
- Ten-year residency rule for citizenship
- Mandatory English tests for dependents
- End of overseas recruitment for care homes
- Deportation for more types of offences
- Stricter employer responsibilities
- New labour market group to monitor trends
Ministers will present the full white paper in parliament. Labour maintains these steps promote skills, lower migration and benefit British workers
