Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has indicated that the government is considering raising the salary threshold for skilled worker visas.
Speaking to LBC radio on Monday, Ms. Badenoch emphasised the need for “the strongest measures possible” to reduce record levels of net migration, stating that the current minimum salary threshold of £26,000 for migrant workers is “too low.” However, she refrained from specifying the proposed new threshold.
The latest immigration figures, released last week, indicate a surge in the population of England and Wales by an estimated 1 percent, the fastest rate in 60 years, driven largely by international migration.
The Office for National Statistics also revealed that the net migration number for the year to June 2023 stood at an estimated 672,000.
The revelations prompted several urgent calls for action from Tory MPs, including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Tory MP Calls for Government to ‘Live Up’ to Manifesto
Tory MP Andrew Rosindell emphasised the imperative to end all illegal immigration and called for a reduction in net legal migration, aligning with the Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto commitment.Speaking to The Epoch Times by email, Mr. Rosindell, MP for Romford, said: “In 2016 the British people stated loudly and clearly that they wanted to take back control of our country and its borders.
“It is imperative that all illegal immigration is ended as soon as possible. However, legal immigration cannot be ignored. British people feel first-hand the social and economic burden of 745,000 legal immigrants coming to our shores in the past year. These latest numbers are entirely unsustainable!
Labour Proposes Salary Threshold Increase
In an attempt to outflank the government on immigration, Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper proposed increasing the salary requirements for foreign workers seeking to come to Britain.The annual salary threshold for a skilled worker visa, currently set at £26,200, could see a hike based on recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee. Labour would also abolish the 20 percent discount on roles listed on the shortage occupation list.
Support for Immigration Moratorium
A People Polling survey last week revealed that 66 percent of respondents are concerned about the potential growth of the UK’s population to 85 million by 2046 if net migration remains at current levels. This concern has led to a majority (53 percent) endorsing calls for a five-year pause on all further immigration into the UK.The poll results showed that 42 percent of respondents believe immigration is detrimentally affecting the quality of life in Britain, with only 10 percent perceiving it as a positive influence.
Matt Goodwin, director of People Polling, told The Epoch Times: “What these results show, clearly, is that a majority of the country think current levels of immigration are too high.
Mr. Goodwin also suggested that people “would also back a five year moratorium on all further migration so that the country can better absorb the record levels of migration over the last 20 years.”
Mr. Goodwin added: “One of the other interesting findings here is that only 10 percent of voters think that migration has made Britain a better place to live … So what we can see is widespread pessimism and scepticism about the impact that these very specific policy choices, often made by Conservatives, have had on the country. There is an enormous space now for a political movement that seeks to connect with voters on this issue.”
Migration Watch UK’s Chairman, Alp Mehmet, emphasised the need for a pause to immigration in light of the record levels observed in recent years.
Mr. Mehmet said: “The continuing, astonishing migration levels we learned about this week and what it means for future population growth has spooked us all. Is it any wonder that people are now beginning to see a pause to all immigration as part of a solution? Mr. Sunak should take heed. The public can only be ignored for so long before they make their feelings known.”
