UK Labour Government Introduces Stricter Immigration Policies Amid Rising Far-Right Support

The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
5 hours ago
2 min read

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Left-Leaning

Why: The article reports on the Labour government's policy changes, highlighting internal party tensions and potential impacts on migrants, reflecting a perspective that aligns with center-left viewpoints.

Overview

On May 12, 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government announced a comprehensive overhaul of the UK's immigration system. The reforms aim to reduce net migration and address growing support for the far-right Reform UK party.

Key Policy Changes

Settlement Requirements: The residency period required for permanent settlement will increase from 5 to 10 years.
Skilled Worker Criteria: Applicants must now hold a university degree (RQF Level 6) to qualify for skilled worker visas.
Care Worker Visas: The recruitment of foreign care workers will be temporarily halted to encourage domestic hiring.
English Language Proficiency: All adult dependents accompanying visa applicants must pass English language tests.
Post-Study Work Visas: The duration of post-study work visas for international students will be reduced to 18 months.
Deportation Rules: Foreign nationals convicted of any criminal offense, including minor ones, will be subject to deportation.

Political Context

The policy shift comes in response to:

Rising Net Migration: Net migration reached 906,000 in 2023, up from 224,000 in 2019.
Far-Right Gains: The Reform UK party recently secured over 670 local council seats and two mayoral positions, reflecting growing public concern over immigration.
Internal Party Pressure: Labour's "Red Wall Caucus," representing MPs from traditionally Labour-supporting regions, has urged the leadership to adopt stricter immigration controls to retain voter support.

Implementation Measures

Labour Market Evidence Group: A new body will assess workforce needs to reduce reliance on foreign labor and promote domestic skill development.
Employer Sanctions: Companies failing to prioritize UK workers may lose the right to sponsor foreign employees.
Border Security Command: Established to coordinate efforts among agencies like MI5 and the Border Force to combat illegal immigration and smuggling gangs.

Reactions and Criticisms

Support: Proponents argue the reforms are necessary to manage immigration effectively and respond to public concerns.
Opposition: Critics, including refugee advocates and some Labour MPs, warn the changes could harm essential sectors like healthcare and social care, which rely on foreign workers.
Economic Concerns: Business groups and universities express worries about potential labor shortages and reduced international student enrollment.

Outlook

Prime Minister Starmer aims for a significant reduction in net migration by the next general election in 2029. While the reforms are designed to address public concerns and political pressures, their long-term impact on the UK's economy and social fabric remains to be seen.