In May this year, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer released a White Paper on immigration, which has tightened the laws on immigration. “Settlement in the UK is a privilege that is earned, not a right,” said Keir Starmer, prime minister, the UK, while releasing the White Paper on immigration recently. The intent is that net migration must come down, so that the British system is properly managed and controlled,” added the PM, while the paper was being released. His intent was to back Britain’s young people, Starmer clarified.
“We’re charging employers more to recruit from overseas and, if they do, they must prove they are investing in British workers and increasing British skills,” the PM contended. “That’s the fair and right thing to do”.
Measures will be taken to prevent the immigration of unskilled, illegal workers, who end up staying in the UK permanently. In the year ended June 2024, the UK had a net migration of 728,000 people. Five months ago, the figures published showed that net migration had reached a record high of more than 900,000 under the last government – a figure that had quadrupled in the space of just four years. Currently, the British Indian population in the UK exceeds 2 million, making them the single largest visible ethnic minority population in the country.
We’re charging employers more to recruit from overseas and, if they do, they must prove they are investing in British workers and increasing British skills
The British government has authorised plans to train over 120,000 builders, engineers and care workers to cut down on the country’s dependence on foreign labour, as the Keir Starmer-led government moves to curb immigration. The administration has allocated $4.1 billion to offer new apprenticeships. A 32 per cent hike in the immigration skills charge, a fee paid by employers, who sponsor skilled foreign workers, is expected to fund 45,000 additional training spots in sectors like construction and social care, which rely significantly on migrant labour. The government is also supporting initiatives aimed at adult education.
“We have returned nearly 30,000 people since the election – 12 per cent more than the last government,” Starmer informed. “We are taking back control of our borders. If you have no right to be in the UK, you will be removed”.
However, local businesses have complained that they would not be able to hire enough staff locally, warning that the tougher rules would harm the economy, unless they were accompanied by a fundamental overhaul of the country’s skills training system. While clamping down on migration, Starmer had stated that he wanted to boost the indigenous workforce.
The Labour Party has recently announced that the government will increase its English-speaking requirement for overseas workers, which will eventually make it harder for migrants to stay in the country. Meanwhile, a recent analysis by Boston Consulting Group warned that the UK’s supply chains could be strained by the $1.2 trillion in public and private infrastructure investment projected by the end of 2029. The report advised expanding the shortage occupations list to ease recruitment of overseas workers and suggested loosening English language requirements for key visa categories.
Protecting local jobs
In 2023, a significant proportion of migrants arriving in the UK came from outside the EU – the top five non-EU nations being India, Nigeria, China, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Indian nationals, in particular, make up a large proportion of non-EU workers in the UK.
The UK is facing significant unemployment, which was a key factor in the Conservatives’ electoral loss. The Labour government prioritises job creation and preservation for local citizens. This may lead to stricter controls on skilled immigration, as the government seeks to protect local jobs and attract foreign direct investment amidst economic challenges from Brexit and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Changes in immigration policy may significantly impact Indian nationals, who may face limitations in moving to the UK for work. However, it is essential to recognise the gap in the domestic workforce and the need for skilled workers. Labour’s win may lead to more balanced and flexible immigration policies, which could benefit Indian immigrants.
There are a few options that Indian nationals can avail of even with these immigration rules. These include the skilled worker visa, global talent visa, the graduate route and the intra-company transfer visa. These visas cater to individuals with job offers in sectors facing skill shortages, recognised leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts and digital technology and students completing degrees in the UK.