The UK’s ruling Conservative party has unveiled a new plan to introduce annual caps on work and family visas in an effort to curb rising immigration levels. This announcement comes ahead of the upcoming July election and aims to address growing public concerns about the country’s net migration figures, which saw an increase of 685,000 last year.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, facing a competitive election battle against Labour’s Keir Starmer, proposed that parliament will now determine the number of visas issued each year. This move represents a critical step in the Conservative party’s broader strategy to implement tougher immigration controls.
“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. “The Conservatives are the only party willing to take the bold action needed to cut immigration figures.”
The government will gradually reduce the proposed caps each year, aiming to lower overall migration numbers without affecting foreign students and seasonal workers. Official statistics reveal that the UK issued more than 300,000 work visas in the year ending March 2024, more than double the number from 2019.
Over the weekend, Labour leader Keir Starmer introduced his own immigration plan, which focuses on reducing regular migration. Starmer’s strategy includes measures to penalize employers who violate labor laws and to prioritize the training of British workers over the hiring of foreign labor.
Labour’s shadow home minister, Yvette Cooper, criticized the Conservative policy as a “meaningless announcement,” suggesting that it would not effectively address the underlying issues.
In addition to the new caps, the Conservative government has implemented various regulations this year aimed at controlling immigration. These include restrictions preventing international students and social care workers from bringing dependents, as well as increasing the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas. These measures have led to a sharp decline in health and social care visa applications, raising concerns about potential staffing shortages in these critical sectors.
The government’s initiative to address irregular migration by relocating failed asylum seekers to Rwanda has also faced delays. Prime Minister Sunak acknowledged that this scheme will not be operational before the upcoming election.
As the election approaches, both parties are emphasizing their immigration policies as key elements of their platforms, with the Conservatives highlighting their commitment to tougher controls and Labour focusing on sustainable and lawful immigration practices.
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