Conservatives Suggest Implementing an Annual Cap on Visas to Reduce Immigration
Labour has also stated its intention to restrict immigration and introduce a new approach to apprenticeship training in order to address the skills shortage resulting from foreign recruitment.
The Conservative Party has promised to implement an annual limit on work and family visas to reduce immigration if it wins the July 4 election.
Under the proposed measures unveiled on Monday, Members of Parliament would vote on the annual immigration quota with the aim of decreasing levels year over year throughout the next Parliament term.
However, certain temporary immigration programs, such as those for seasonal agricultural workers, would be exempt from this restriction.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remarked, “We have already taken significant steps to lower immigration levels in the country. The plan is yielding results, but immigration remains too high, and therefore we are taking further action.”
Migration Advisory Committee’s Cap Recommendation
According to the proposals, the government would ask the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to suggest an annual immigration cap, which would then be presented to Parliament for approval.
The MAC would arrive at the cap figure after consulting with various stakeholders, including businesses, public services, local governments, and the NHS. The committee would also be tasked with aligning its recommendations with the government’s objective of reducing immigration levels.
When questioned about why the Conservatives have not specified a numerical limit on visas, Home Secretary James Cleverly explained on “BBC Breakfast” that while legal immigration has been excessive in recent years, there are still benefits to migration.
Cleverly emphasized that entrusting the MAC with assessing the costs and advantages of immigration would ensure a balanced approach, weighing the benefits of migration against associated costs like demand for school places and housing.
Labour’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, dismissed the Conservative Party’s proposed cap as a “meaningless announcement,” pointing out that net migration had tripled under the Tories despite their initial pledge to reduce it.
Labour’s Approach to Addressing the ‘Skills Gap’
Yvette Cooper mentioned on Sunday that Labour’s immigration reforms aim to rectify the current system’s flaws and close the skills gap using domestic talent.
In a reference to declining engineering apprenticeships and a rise in work visas, Cooper highlighted the need for a revamped system that links overseas recruitment to necessary training and workforce plans. This, she believes, will ultimately reduce net migration.
She stated, “We’ve been speaking to engineering apprentices, and engineering apprenticeships have decreased by half while the number of visas has doubled. This demonstrates a broken system.”
“That’s why Labour is presenting a practical plan to ensure that overseas recruitment is linked to the necessary training and workforce plans, ultimately reducing net migration.”
‘Hire Brits First’ Policy
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer vowed to decrease net immigration without specifying a particular cap. He emphasized the party’s commitment to supporting British businesses in hiring domestic workers first. Additionally, he proposed that sectors applying for foreign work visas must first train British workers to fill the required positions.
Starmer also announced plans to outlaw employers who violate labor market regulations, such as underpaying workers, from recruiting foreign workers.
Debates around legal and illegal immigration have been prominent in policy discussions ahead of the upcoming general election.
Starmer has proposed establishing a Border Security Command comprising police officers, intelligence agents, and investigators from agencies like MI5, the National Crime Agency, and Border Force to combat people-smuggling gangs transporting illegal immigrants across the English Channel.
This report includes contributions from PA Media.
