Introduction

The UK government has recently introduced significant measures aimed at reducing net migration amid concerns over the impact of high migration levels on public services and housing. This comprehensive update covers the latest statistics, new policies, and the Labour Party’s approach to managing migration.

Latest Net Migration Statistics

As of June 2024, net migration to the UK was provisionally estimated at 672,000. This figure represents a slight increase from 607,000 in June 2023 but is down from the updated estimate of 745,000 for December 2023. This recent trend indicates a slowing of immigration coupled with rising emigration rates? (Office for National Statistics)?? (GOV.UK)?.

Labour Party’s Policy on Migration

The Labour Party, now in power, has introduced a range of policies aimed at reducing reliance on overseas workers, addressing domestic skill shortages, and ensuring fair and efficient handling of immigration. These policies are designed to create a sustainable migration system that supports economic growth while addressing concerns of overpopulation and resource strain.

Boosting Domestic Skills:

Labour plans to integrate skills training with immigration policy, reducing the need for international recruitment and focusing on training UK residents to fill skill gaps.
This includes linking skills plans for young people with the jobs businesses need to fill, ensuring that domestic workers are adequately trained and available.

Reforming the Points-Based System:

The Migration Advisory Committee will work with other government agencies to ensure coordinated efforts to address skill shortages, promoting domestic training over international recruitment.
Labour’s points-based system will be reformed to prioritize high-skilled migrants and reduce overall migration numbers.

Crackdown on Illegal Employment Practices:

Labour proposes new powers to ban hiring from overseas for employers and agencies who violate employment laws, aiming to protect workers’ conditions and wages in the UK.
This measure seeks to end workplace exploitation and ensure that migration is not used to undercut local wages and conditions.
Border Security and Asylum System:

Labour will establish a new Border Security Command and increase the number of specialist investigators to tackle human trafficking and illegal crossings.
The party aims to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers and streamline the asylum process, ensuring quicker returns to safe countries.
A new Returns and Enforcement Unit will be set up to ensure failed asylum seekers and others with no right to be in the UK are removed efficiently? (The Labour Party)?? (euronews)?.

Impact of Labour’s Policies

With Labour’s policies now in effect, the focus is on reducing the demand for visas by boosting domestic skills and ensuring better workforce planning. This approach aims to:

Reduce dependency on international workers.
Enhance the training and development of UK residents.
Strengthen border security and asylum processes to ensure efficient and fair handling of cases.
Protect the rights and conditions of workers in the UK by cracking down on illegal employment practices.
These policies are expected to create a more sustainable migration system that supports economic growth while addressing the concerns of overpopulation and resource strain. Labour’s commitment to robust and fair migration management is poised to shape a balanced and effective immigration landscape for the UK.

Key Policy Reforms by the Previous Conservative Government
While the Conservative government is no longer in power, their recent reforms have had significant impacts on the UK’s immigration landscape. Here are some key measures they introduced:

Student and Dependant Visas:

Restricted most overseas students from bringing dependants, resulting in a 79% decrease in student dependant visa applications in early 2024.
Care Worker Visas:

Restricted care workers from bringing dependants, with applications for Health & Care dependant visas dropping by 58%.
Skilled Worker Visas:

Increased the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas by 48% to £38,700 and replaced the Shortage Occupation List with the Immigration Salary List, removing the 20% discount on going rates for migrants.
Family Visas:

Raised the minimum income requirement to sponsor family members from £18,600 to £29,000, with plans to increase it to £38,700 by early 2025.
These measures focused on tightening visa regulations and raising income thresholds to manage the number of entrants and their dependants. The Labour government has since built on these foundations with a more skills-oriented and fair approach to migration.

For personalized advice and assistance regarding how these changes may affect your situation, contact Immigration Solicitors UK at 0161 224 4066 or info@. Visit us at 1212 Stockport Road, Manchester M19 2RA.

Sources:

Home Office Media Blog
The Labour Party
Euronews
Migration Observatory
Office for National Statistics