UK announces plan to curb immigration as migration levels hit record high

UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to reduce net migration to Britain, pledging reforms to the country’s points-based immigration system. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Starmer emphasized the need to prioritize training British workers and reducing reliance on foreign labor. This comes on the heels of new data revealing that net migration surged to a record 906,000 in the year ending June 2023.

Starmer criticized the policies of the previous Conservative government, blaming them for the sharp rise in migration numbers. He linked the increase to mismanagement and Brexit-related decisions, stating, “A failure on this scale isn't just bad luck... Brexit was used for that purpose to turn Britain into a 'one nation experiment' in open borders."

Reform Plans for Immigration

The prime minister outlined steps to reform visa routes under the points-based system, which was introduced by the Conservatives in 2021. The system grants visas based on applicants’ skills and qualifications. Starmer said changes would target industries overly dependent on immigration, requiring businesses to invest in training local workers.

“Applications for the skilled worker route or the shortage occupation list will now come with new expectations on training people here in our country,” Starmer stated. He warned that businesses failing to comply could face bans on hiring overseas workers.

Migration Data Sparks Debate
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported the record-high net migration figure for June 2023, up from earlier estimates of 740,000. The data reflects improved tracking methods, including better estimates for Ukraine visas. While net migration fell 20% to 728,000 by June 2024, the drop was largely due to fewer dependents accompanying study visa holders, following rule changes by the previous government.

Britain’s immigration system has faced scrutiny since the 2016 Brexit vote, with concerns over public service capacity and workforce gaps in key sectors like healthcare. While Brexit led to reduced migration from the European Union, new visa rules spurred an increase in workers from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, often to address shortages in health and social care roles.

High levels of migration remain a contentious issue in Britain, with Starmer’s proposals aiming to balance economic demands with public concerns.