Government Immigration reform plan: Deeply flawed.

Introduction:

This week, James Cleverly unveiled a series of measures aimed at addressing the surge in immigration numbers reported by the ONS . Despite claims from Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick that these plans have undergone meticulous consideration for over a year, critical analysis suggests that the proposed strategies may not deliver the intended impact. In this article, we dissect the key components of the announced immigration policies and shed light on their potential pitfalls.

Health and Care Worker Visa Restrictions:

• While the decision to restrict dependants on Health and Care Worker visas might seem understandable given recent increases in visa issuances, it will exacerbate shortages in the care home sector. This move is poised to affect the lowest-paid roles in healthcare, leaving a gap that may worsen the chronic shortages. The unintended consequence could be a strain on the elderly population in need of care , given the existing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff within the sector. For those who can afford the extra costs involved in attaining a Skilled Worker Visa can still apply for a Dependent Visa even if their income is below ￡38,700 as most healthcare roles also feature on the Shortage Occupation list.

Skilled Worker Visa Threshold to increase 50% to ￡38,700 to eliminate Below-Market Wage Practices:

• While there may be logic behind this there has been little thought to the plan and it is deeply flawed mainly because this applies to those applying for a Skilled Worker Visa for a role on the Eligible list (about 250 roles) but not to those applying for roles on the Shortage Occupation list (about 40 vague roles). The crux of the matter is that the vast majority of those applying for the Skilled Worker Visa are applying for roles on the Shortage Occupation list. There have been commitments to review this list but little to no information has been provided on this.

• While the initiative to prevent companies from paying workers below the "going rate" for shortage occupation roles is commendable, it may fall short in addressing the root issue. The Home Office's published "going rate" often lags behind the actual market rates for example the Home Office “going rate” for a Welder is ￡18,480 while the average wage is ￡38,829, leaving room for unscrupulous employers to exploit foreign workers. More stringent measures are needed to ensure fair compensation across sectors.

NHS Charges for Foreign Workers:

• Increasing the annual charge for foreign workers to use the NHS from ￡624 to ￡1,035 could disproportionately impact the lowest-paid workers. This move raises questions about the broader implications on social equality and access to essential healthcare services.

Family Visas and Minimum Income Thresholds:

• Raising the minimum income for family visas to ￡38,700 from ￡18,600 might have profound consequences for British citizens with non-British spouses or children. While the affected numbers are relatively low, the impact on those individuals is significant, prompting a closer examination of the social implications of such policy shifts.

In Conclusion:

As we evaluate these proposed immigration policy changes, it is essential to consider their potential implications on various sectors and demographics. Striking a balance between addressing immigration concerns and ensuring fair treatment for workers is crucial for the effectiveness and societal acceptance of these measures. The government should be open to ongoing reviews and adjustments to create policies that are not only robust but also responsive to the evolving needs of the UK.

Solutions:

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Suella Braverman Rishi Sunak Keir Starmer Robert Jenrick James Cleverly UK Home Office Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Department for Business and Trade Department of Education Angela Rayner