Home Secretary’s Statement on Migration: Government Plans
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper delivered a statement to Parliament on 30 July 2024, outlining the new government’s approach to migration.
Current Challenges and New Strategy
The statement referenced recent statistics highlighting significant shifts in migration patterns. The Office of National Statistics estimates that net migration reached 685,000 in the year to December 2023, a substantial increase from pre-pandemic levels. The rise in work-related immigration, particularly from non-EU countries, underscores the reliance on international recruitment to address skills shortages in various sectors.
In response, the government says it is implementing a new approach to align migration policy with domestic skills and labour market strategies. According to Cooper, the goal is to reduce dependency on international recruitment and strengthen the UK’s internal workforce capabilities.
Key Initiatives and Collaborations
- Migration Advisory Committee (MAC): The MAC will collaborate with Skills England, the Industrial Strategy Council, and the Labour Market Advisory Board as part of a new framework to ensure a coherent approach to addressing skills gaps and labour market needs across the UK.
- Skills England: Launched by the Education Secretary, Skills England aims to consolidate the fragmented skills landscape and establish a national ambition to enhance the nation’s skills. This initiative aims to identify sector-specific skills gaps and develop targeted plans.
- Growth Mission Board and Labour Market Advisory Board: The Chancellor’s Growth Mission Board and the Work and Pensions Secretary’s Labour Market Advisory Board will focus on bringing people back into the labour market and driving economic growth. These bodies will work closely to address workforce challenges and create opportunities across the UK.
- Industrial Strategy Council: Announced in the King’s Speech, this council will engage businesses and focus on key sectors to leverage new opportunities for national growth.
Strengthening the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)
The Home Office will bolster the MAC’s capacity to assess sectors reliant on international recruitment. An initial review will focus on IT and engineering, fields with a long-standing dependence on foreign workers.
Enhancements to the MAC will include additional Home Office staff to improve strategic forecasting and provide robust, evidence-based recommendations on immigration policies.
Recent Changes to Immigration Policies
Several changes were implemented to tighten immigration controls by the previous government:
- Restrictions on overseas students bringing family members to the UK.
- Limitations on care workers bringing dependants and requiring care providers to register with the Care Quality Commission.
- Increasing the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas by 48% to £38,700.
- Abolishing the 20% going rate discount for shortage occupations to ensure fair wages for UK workers.
These measures are set to remain.
Family Immigration Rules and Student Visa Measures
The Family Immigration Rules, including the Minimum Income Requirement currently set at £29,000, will be reviewed by the MAC, and there will be no further increase until this review is complete.
Measures to prevent abuse of the student and Graduate visa routes will continue, ensuring that the system benefits genuine students and maintains the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
My Closing Thoughts
Seeing the government consulting with the MAC and boosting their capability is encouraging. This should hopefully ensure decisions are based on evidence and facts, as opposed to chasing headlines and the knee-jerk reactions we, unfortunately, experienced towards the final year of the previous government.
I am eagerly looking forward to updates from the MAC and strongly advise all interested parties to participate if they approach sectors for calls for evidence.
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Gavin Webster
