LONDON — Britain announced plans on Monday to reduce the number of migrants arriving through legal channels, by raising by a third the minimum wage they must earn for skilled employment, amid pressure on the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to tackle record net migration figures.
High levels of legal migration have dominated the UK political landscape for over a decade and was a key factor in the 2016 vote to leave the European Union (EU). Mr Sunak vowed to take more control after lawmakers from his Conservative Party criticized his record ahead of elections due next year, with the opposition Labor Party far ahead in opinion polls .
But businesses and unions have criticized the measures, calling them counterproductive and a challenge for the private sector and public health services, both of which face labor shortages.
Figures last month showed that annual net migration to the UK hit a record 745,000 in 2022 and has remained at high levels since, with many migrants now coming from countries including India, Nigeria and China instead of the EU.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said the new measures could reduce that number by 300,000.
“Immigration is too high. Today we are taking radical action to bring it down,” said Mr Sunak, who is also trying to deport migrants arriving in Rwanda illegally.
Mr Cleverly said the government would increase the minimum wage threshold for foreign skilled workers to 38,700 pounds ($48,900), from its current level of 26,200 pounds, although health and service workers social workers are exempt.
Other measures included banning foreign health workers from bringing in family members on their visas, increasing by 66% the surcharge migrants must pay to use health services and increasing income minimum for family visas.
A TIGHT LABOR MARKET
The moves could spark new conflicts with business owners who have struggled to hire workers in recent years due to Britain’s still-tight labor market and the end of free movement since Britain’s exit. of the block in 2020.
In October, the government’s independent migration adviser recommended abolishing the shortage trades list, one of the main ways businesses hire migrant workers in sectors where there are serious staff shortages .
Mr Cleverly said the Government would end the current system which allows employers to pay migrants just 80% of the going rate to fill jobs where there is a labor shortage, and that the list professions in shortage would be reviewed.
“We will stop immigration from reducing the wages of British workers,” Mr Cleverly told lawmakers. “We will create a new salary list for immigrants with a reduced number of professions.”
However, some studies have shown that foreign workers have little or no impact on overall wage or employment levels, and the severe shortage of candidates to fill vacant positions remains a problem for many business leaders.
“These changes will further reduce the talent pool from which the wider economy will recruit and will only worsen the shortages that hospitality businesses face,” said Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality.
“We urgently need an immigration system that is fit for purpose and reflects the needs of both businesses and the labor market. The current system does none of this.
The Bank of England said last month that businesses were finding it somewhat easier to hire, but persistent skills shortages persisted in some sectors.
Unions have also expressed concerns about Cleverly’s project. Christina McAnea, general secretary of UNISON, the health sector’s main union, said it meant a “total disaster” for the health service.
“Migrants will now head to more welcoming countries, rather than being forced to live without their families,” she said. — Reuters
