Minister of State for Legal Immigration and Borders, Tom Pursglove, recently announced a series of new measures aimed at limiting immigration to the United Kingdom. These measures, discussed within the framework of the five-point plan outlined by James Cleverley in December, have sparked debates and concerns regarding their impact on the country’s social and economic fabric.
Restriction on Family Reunification and Salary Requirements
One of the main proposed countermeasures is the increase in salary requirements for visa applicants. This fits into a broader context of reducing the number of foreign citizens immigrating to the UK, an objective that has received criticism from various segments of society.
Impact on Immigration During the Pandemic
Concerns about the increase in the number of immigrants during the pandemic have emerged, especially in relation to individuals seeking to remain in the UK for humanitarian reasons, such as Ukrainian citizens.
Key Changes and Implementation Dates
The government has outlined a series of changes that will come into effect in successive phases. These include preventing students from transitioning from study to work before completing their course in July 2023 and restrictions on the entry of dependents of students into the UK, except for those studying for a postgraduate research degree.
Review of the Shortage Occupation List
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been tasked with reviewing the Shortage Occupation List to assess which occupations should be temporarily added to the Immigration Salary List starting from April 2024. This process will also involve the addition of occupations recommended by the MAC itself.
Conclusions and Future Perspectives
The new immigration rules in the UK reflect the government’s commitment to managing immigration more selectively, prioritizing those who can contribute to the country’s economic growth and public services such as the National Health Service (NHS). However, it remains to be seen how these measures will actually affect British society and the economy in the long term.