The UK government has unveiled one of the most comprehensive immigration policy reforms in decades, driven largely by the significant gains made by the right-wing Reform UK party in recent local elections. Analysts suggest that the government’s move is a response to growing public concern over immigration, which was a key factor in the Reform party’s electoral success.
The Labour government released its “Immigration White Paper” on Monday, which aims to significantly reduce legal immigration by tightening residency requirements, raising visa thresholds, and closing certain work routes.
Titled “Restoring Control Over the Immigration System,” the White Paper requires new legislation to take effect. The proposed law would increase the minimum residence period for permanent settlement in the UK from five to ten years, eliminate the “Health and Care” visa route for overseas caregivers, and raise salary and English proficiency requirements for work and family visa applicants.
The announcement comes amid a sharp rise in immigration numbers, with net migration soaring from 224,000 in 2019 to 906,000 in 2023—an increase of over fourfold.
Home Office data reveals a dramatic increase in work visas issued since 2021, primarily in the health and care worker category, which jumped from 31,800 visas in 2021 to 145,823 in 2023. This surge has prompted the government to halt overseas recruitment of caregivers.
Care workers also represent the largest group among visa holders’ dependents, whose numbers have risen from 53,260 in mid-2019 to 260,392 by mid-2024, with 69% linked to healthcare visas.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that the surge in care visas had led to exploitation risks, citing cases of workers arriving in the UK only to find scarce job opportunities or low working hours insufficient for a living wage.
The immigration issue has garnered widespread public attention, with polling by the Oxford Migration Observatory showing concern over immigration rising from 6% in April 2022 to 38% in October 2024.
Polls indicate that if a general election were held today, the Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, would likely win. Analysts believe Labour’s traditionally cautious stance on immigration has shifted under pressure from Reform’s rising popularity.
Media outlets have described Labour’s policy shift as an attempt at “reform.”
Edward, a factory supervisor from Liverpool, told Xinhua, “People voted for Reform UK because the major parties weren’t addressing immigration. These new measures barely scratch the surface and don’t go far enough.”
Experts caution that the issue is complex. Professor John Bryson from the University of Birmingham warned that political reactions should not overlook migrants’ economic contributions, especially given the UK’s ageing population and labor shortages in sectors such as care.
Approximately 9.4 million working-age Britons are economically inactive, representing nearly one in six people, further complicating the labor market.
Majorie, a care home worker in Cheshire, expressed concern about the new restrictions, saying overseas workers are crucial to the sector and that stopping their entry could cause system collapse.
The government maintains the reforms are designed to strengthen the domestic workforce and promote long-term solutions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “This White Paper signals a new era where migration is no longer a substitute for domestic training and opportunities.”
However, business leaders warn that rapid changes could disrupt growth. Jane Gratton of the British Chambers of Commerce emphasized the need for flexibility to maintain access to global talent.
Despite promises to significantly reduce immigration, Starmer has not set specific targets or timelines. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also avoided precise commitments, suggesting critics revisit the issue in four years.
Professor Iain Begg of the London School of Economics noted that without clear numeric targets, the government risks criticism and that success will depend on achieving results without unintended consequences.
The government also faces pressure to address illegal crossings of the English Channel. By the end of April 2025, over 10,000 people had crossed in small boats, a 40% increase over the previous year.
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