Title: British Government Implements Measures to Curb Net Migration Amidst Record Numbers
The British government has taken significant steps to reduce net migration to the UK, including raising the minimum salary threshold for foreign workers to be eligible for a work visa. These measures were announced in response to the record-breaking net migration figures in 2022 and pressure from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to address the issue.
Under the new rules, the minimum salary requirement for foreign skilled workers will be increased from £26,200 ($33,000) to £38,700 ($48,800). The government also plans to reform the list of occupations with exceptions due to labor shortages and to toughen regulations on whether workers can bring their families.
Interior Minister James Cleverly emphasized that migration to the country is currently too high and needs to be reduced. He claimed that these measures represent the most robust action ever taken by any government. The implementation of the new regulations is scheduled for next spring.
However, some business owners may dispute these measures, as they have faced difficulties in hiring workers in recent years due to a tight labor market and the end of free movement from the European Union (EU). These concerns have led to requests from certain sectors to be able to hire international staff to address labor shortages.
The government aims to reduce migration numbers by approximately 300,000 compared to last year by implementing these measures and reducing the number of student dependents. In 2022 alone, net migration reached a record high of 745,000 and has remained at elevated levels since.
The leaders of the Brexit campaign had argued that leaving the EU would grant Britain greater control over its borders, with high migration levels and pressures on public services cited as reasons for their decision. Nevertheless, in recent years, visa schemes were introduced for individuals from Ukraine and Hong Kong.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), overall immigration in 2022 stood at approximately 1.16 million, balanced by emigration of 557,000 individuals. Non-EU nationals accounted for 925,000 arrivals, with 151,000 from the EU and 88,000 British citizens returning. Moreover, the ONS estimates that there were 114,000 long-term arrivals from Ukraine and 52,000 from Hong Kong in 2022.
Aside from curbing legal migration, Sunak has also pledged to crack down on irregular migration, particularly targeting the arrival of individuals in small boats across the English Channel from Europe.
These measures reflect the British government’s determination to gain control over migration numbers and address the associated challenges. As the nation prepares for an anticipated election, the issue of migration is expected to remain prominent in the political landscape.
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