Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to “tighten” all aspects of the immigration system as part of his efforts to regain the support of voters who abandoned the Labour Party and are backing calls for reform in the UK.
Under his proposals, immigrants will be told they must live in the UK for up to ten years before they can apply for citizenship. As part of the government’s efforts to curb immigration, English language requirements will also be raised.
Ministers are aiming to reduce net immigration numbers, and Sir Keir has committed to making the immigration system stricter across the board. However, there is resistance to his plan to stop the recruitment of foreign care workers.
It is expected that the Prime Minister will announce, based on the immigration white paper due to be published on Monday, that “enforcement will be stricter than ever, and immigration numbers will decrease.”
Meanwhile, the Home Secretary has been warned that plans to stop care worker recruitment visas from overseas could be “cruel.” Care union leaders are expected to accuse the government of using the policy to “appease and scapegoat.”
Yvette Cooper confirmed on Sunday that overseas care worker recruitment visas will be stopped as part of a plan to reduce “low-skilled” visas by as many as 50,000 next year.
Sir Keir also hinted at tightening regulations surrounding the family life rights of foreign criminals who evade deportation, telling The Sun newspaper, “If you break UK laws, you give up your right to remain in the UK.”
Under the proposed white paper, immigrants must live in the UK for ten years before applying for citizenship, although individuals in “high-contribution” sectors, such as doctors and nurses, will be able to fast-track their citizenship applications.
All immigration pathways will also have higher language requirements to ensure better English proficiency. Rules for adult dependents will also be introduced, meaning they must prove basic understanding of the language.
Additionally, skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be stricter limits on the recruitment of workers for positions facing shortages.
Ministers are working to lower net immigration numbers, which stood at 728,000 in mid-2024.
The Prime Minister is expected to state on Monday, “Every area of the immigration system, including work, family, and study, will be strengthened so that we have more control.”
“Enforcement will be stricter than ever, and immigration numbers will decrease.”
He will emphasize that the reformed system will be “controlled, selective, and fair,” acknowledging “those who truly contribute to the development and society of the UK, while restoring common sense and control at the border.”
Ms. Cooper confirmed on Sunday that “we will close overseas care worker recruitment visas.”
Under the current regulations, applicants for care worker visas must have a certificate from an employer detailing their position in the UK.
The Home Secretary told the BBC that the system’s rules would change to “prevent” its use for “recruiting talent from abroad,” but “we will allow them to continue extending visas and recruit from the 10,000-plus care workers who have already entered the country on these visas, as these visa sponsorships will be canceled.”
The chair of the care union is expected to criticize this decision in a keynote speech on Monday.
Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, will say at the College’s annual conference that the government’s plan is “appeasing the masses and looking for scapegoats.”
“The UK is heavily reliant on our colleagues abroad, especially in social welfare,” she will add.
“The government has no plans to increase the domestic workforce. This is political—it’s about appeasing and looking for scapegoats.”
“This should be about people,” she will say. “We need an immigration system that works for care workers, nurses, and the people who depend on them.”
Earlier, Martin Green, CEO of the National Care Association, described the government’s plan as “cruel.”
The proposal comes just two weeks after Reform UK’s success in local council elections across England. Deputy leader Richard Tice said this was “because people are angry about the numbers of both legal and illegal immigrants.”
The Conservative Party stated that the Prime Minister is “attempting to take credit for the sharp reduction in visa numbers brought by Conservative reforms in April 2024.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip added, “Starmer has written letters protesting the deportation of dangerous foreign criminals and has witnessed the worst year yet for illegal immigration across the English Channel.”
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