Prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the number of visas available to migrants would be reduced each year if the Conservatives win the election.
However, limiting visas will likely decrease supply for the UK labour market, said Jonathan Beech, founder and managing director of recruitment platform, Immpact.
Speaking to HR magazine, he said: “Reducing numbers for those who are not contributing to the economy is fraught with problems. Limiting humanitarian assistance and those joining settled family could be seen as draconian. Reducing student numbers again hits the economy and the UK’s position as a centre of research and development.
“It is a very difficult balancing act and continuing to work with the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is key, but the focus on a numbers game is more electioneering than practical solution finding.”
Under the plans, MPs would vote on annual proposals to reduce visa numbers, based on recommendations from the MAC. No exact figures have been announced.
Successive conservative governments have attempted to limit visas, under Theresa May, David Cameron and Rishi Sunak in last year’s Illegal Migration Act. The legislation tripled fines for employers who knowingly employed illegal immigrants and made asylum claims from those who travelled to the UK illegally inadmissible.
In April 2024, the Conservatives raised the salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa, the largest work migration route in the UK.
The general salary threshold rose from £26,200 to £38,000, bringing salary requirements for individual occupations in line with median pay for resident workers in those occupations. HR managers and directors on the Skilled Work visa must be paid a minimum of £49,400 under the new legislation, up from £36,500.
Vanessa Ganguin, managing partner at Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law, criticised the measures as worsening skills shortages.
She told HR magazine: “Organisations, especially those paying lower salaries outside the capital, that face skills gaps that they have relied on filling from abroad will be hit the hardest.
“Sectors such as engineering, construction, agriculture and hospitality are looking at big hikes in the salary they will have to pay sponsored workers.”
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