By Fionnuala Boyle
Immigration is the word on everyone’s lips at the moment. From the UK Government issuing a warning to citizens travelling to the US, to a recent crackdown on illegal working in Scotland, the issue is pertinent – and ever-changing.
Now, in just a few short weeks, a suite of new immigration rules could be implemented in the UK. The proposals, unveiled on Tuesday, July 1, apparently aim to reduce the number of foreign nationals settling in Britain.
Politicians have claimed that robust strategies are essential to train and hire UK workers, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper indicating that the government intends to totally revamp the existing immigration framework.
“We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years,” Yvette Cooper stated.
“These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK.”
So, what are the new UK immigration rules?
The forthcoming measures will halt overseas recruitment for social care positions and increase salary thresholds for skilled foreign workers. The baseline minimum salary for obtaining a Skilled Worker visa is set to climb from 拢38,700 to 拢41,700.
In addition, the minimum salary for those holding a relevant PhD will rise from 拢34,830 to 拢37,500. If sanctioned by MPs, the initial changes will take effect from Tuesday, July 22.
As per the Standard’s report, the government plans to roll out a new temporary jobs shortage list for sub-degree level roles that are crucial to key infrastructure projects, valid until the end of next year.
These individuals will no longer benefit from salary and visa fee reductions. They will not have the privilege of bringing family members to the UK, either.
“The key change is raising the threshold for Skilled Worker visas from occupations at Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 and above, approximately A-level skills, to occupations at RQF level 6 and above, mainly graduate professions,” Seema Malhotra, Migration Minister, said.
“Salary requirements for work visas are being raised in line with the latest Office for National Statistics data, ahead of an upcoming thorough review of salary requirements (including discounts) by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).”
In the meantime, the government has warned it “will not hesitate” to restrict immigration access further “should there be clear signs of abuse and exploitation in sectors.”
Further changes to be implemented by the end of this year include raising the immigration skills charge, cracking down on people’s level of English before entering the country, and setting out a new family framework.
The government has also committed to abolishing the previous government鈥檚 immigration salary list. The minimum salary is currently 80 per cent of the route’s usual minimum rate to qualify for a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa.
The government will announce further measures on asylum and border security later this year, too.