What’s likely to be in labour’s immigration crackdown?
The labour government, under Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, is preparing to roll out a sweeping new crackdown on immigration, as part of a determined effort to reduce the UK’s soaring net migration figures. After net migration peaked at a staggering 906,000 in June 2023 and settled at 728,000 by year’s end, the home office is expected to unveil a white paper early next week detailing its latest strategy.
While the specific proposals are yet to be officially confirmed, insiders and analysts believe several significant reforms will be included, targeting everything from visa restrictions to permanent residency requirements.
Greater focus on skills investment
One of the central themes of the white paper is expected to be a renewed emphasis on investing in home-grown skills. Labour is likely to require employers to demonstrate meaningful investment in the UK workforce before seeking to hire talent from abroad. This will be particularly relevant to sectors like IT and telecommunications, where a historical reliance on international labour has drawn scrutiny.
Yvette cooper previously committed to strengthening the migration advisory committee, tasking it with identifying sectors that have become overly dependent on overseas recruitment. The aim is to pressure employers into upskilling the domestic workforce rather than resorting to easier overseas solutions.
Visa restrictions Based on risk assessment
In a more controversial move, the government is anticipated to introduce tougher visa scrutiny for applicants from countries deemed more likely to overstay or claim asylum after arrival. This includes nationals from Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka – countries which, according to the Home office in march, were the biggest sources of asylum claims made by individuals who initially entered the UK on standard visas.
While these measures are framed as a way to maintain immigration control, critics argue they could unfairly target specific nationalities and foster discrimination.
Extended path to permanent residence
Another expected change is the extension of the residency period required before migrants can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Currently, most migrants are eligible after five years of lawful residence and employment in the UK. Under Labour’s new proposals, this waiting period could be doubled to 10 years for certain categories, significantly altering the long-term planning of those who intend to settle.
Stricter english language requirements
The white paper is also likely to propose stricter English language testing, though the Home Office has rejected claims that it will raise requirements to A-Level standards. Currently, work visa applicants must demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to GCSE level. The anticipated changes would ensure that new arrivals are better equipped to integrate into the UK’s workforce and society, but concerns remain over whether such measures could deter valuable talent.
New rules for international care workers
Changes to the recruitment of international care workers have already begun taking effect. Since 9 April, care providers must show evidence of domestic recruitment efforts before hiring from overseas. The white paper is expected to reaffirm these rules, part of labour’s broader effort to reduce dependency on foreign workers in essential sectors.
More Read
Reassessing the ‘Right to family life’
Perhaps most significantly, labour is reviewing how article 8 of the European convention on human Rights – which protects the right to a family life – is applied in immigration cases. Cooper has expressed concern that court interpretations have led to inconsistent outcomes, and she favours a stronger, government-led framework for interpreting international law.
This shift was exemplified by a recent appeal where the government overturned a tribunal’s decision to block the deportation of an Albanian man due to his son’s preference for British chicken nuggets – a case that sparked widespread media attention and public debate.
In summary, labour’s proposed immigration reforms reflect a more hardline stance than many might expect from the party, signalling a strategic pivot aimed at addressing public concerns over border control and integration. With net migration at historic highs, the government’s white paper is poised to be one of the most consequential immigration policy announcements in recent years.
