The UK government has unveiled a series of stringent new immigration reforms aimed at reducing net migration and tightening control over who can live and work in the country. These changes, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are part of a broader effort to address what the government describes as a “failed experiment” in open borders and to restore public confidence in the immigration system.
The new measures include significant changes to visa and citizenship requirements. Migrants will now need to live in the UK for a decade before they can apply for citizenship, doubling the previous requirement of five years. However, exceptions will be made for individuals who make a “high contribution” to the economy or society, such as nurses, doctors, engineers, and AI leaders, who can be fast-tracked for permanent settlement rights.
In addition to the extended residency requirement, the government will introduce new English language requirements across all immigration routes. For the first time, these requirements will also apply to adult dependents, ensuring that all individuals wishing to live and work in the UK have a basic understanding of English. This move is intended to promote integration and reduce the risk of exploitation and abuse.
Prime Minister Starmer emphasised that these reforms are designed to create a “controlled, selective, and fair” immigration system. He stated, “Living in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right. We will create a migration system that backs British workers, boosts economic growth, and controls our borders.” The Prime Minister also highlighted the need to reduce reliance on overseas recruitment and invest in domestic skills.
The new immigration rules will also target low-paid workers. The government plans to halt the recruitment of care workers from overseas, requiring UK businesses to hire British workers or extend the visas of care workers already in the country. Skilled worker visas will only be issued for graduate-level jobs, and the education threshold for these visas will be increased to ensure that skilled workers immigrating to the UK have a degree.
The reforms are part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to reduce net migration, restore control of Britain’s borders, and make the immigration system work for the economy. The government has already taken major steps to crack down on those exploiting the system, including ramping up removals of individuals with no right to be in the UK.
The announcement of these reforms comes amid growing public concern over high levels of net migration, which reached 728,000 in the 12 months to June 2024. The government is under pressure to tackle both legal and illegal immigration, particularly in light of the rise of the anti-immigration Reform UK party.
The new measures have sparked a debate among politicians and the public. Some support the changes, believing they will lead to a more controlled and fair immigration system, while others are concerned about the potential impact on the economy and the rights of migrants. Human rights groups have also raised concerns about the fairness of the new rules and their potential to limit access to fair hearings and due process.
