UK announces plans to introduce new caps on work & family visas

UK's ruling Conservative party unveiled plans on Monday to implement new annual caps on work and family visas in an effort to curb immigration. This proposal comes in response to rising net migration levels, a central issue in the upcoming July election.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, facing an uphill battle against Labour's Keir Starmer, proposed that the number of visas issued each year will be determined by parliament. The move aims to address public concerns about immigration, which saw a net increase of 685,000 last year. Although this number is slightly lower than the previous year, it remains significantly higher than the 2019 figures when the Tories promised to reduce immigration.

Over the weekend, Labour leader Keir Starmer introduced his party's immigration plan, which focuses on reducing regular migration. Starmer's strategy includes measures to penalize employers who breach labor laws and to prioritize the training of British workers over the hiring of foreign labor.


The Prime Minister's announcement is designed to highlight the Conservatives' commitment to tougher immigration controls ahead of a pivotal debate on Tuesday, where Sunak and Starmer will address key election issues.

"We have taken bold action to cut the number of people coming to this country. The plan is working but migration levels are still too high, so we are going further," Sunak stated. He emphasized, "The Conservatives are the only party that is willing to take the bold action needed to cut immigration figures."

The proposed annual cap will be gradually reduced each year, aiming to lower migration numbers without impacting foreign students and seasonal workers. Official statistics reveal that more than 300,000 work visas were issued in the year ending March 2024, more than double the number from 2019.

In an effort to control immigration, the Conservative government has introduced various regulations this year. These include restrictions preventing international students and social care workers from bringing dependents and increasing the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas. These measures have led to a sharp decline in health and social care visa applications, causing concerns about staffing shortages in the sector.

Labour's shadow home minister Yvette Cooper dismissed the new policy as a "meaningless announcement."

Additionally, the government's initiative to address irregular migration by relocating failed asylum seekers to Rwanda has faced delays. Prime Minister Sunak acknowledged that this scheme will not be operational before the election.