There has been an almost six-fold increase in the number of skill-related work visas for non-EU immigrants, according to newly released figures.
In 2022–2023 alone, 159,000 skill-related work visas were granted to foreign nationals outside Europe—an increase from 27,000 permits issued in 2018–2019.
According to the government’s own statistics, between 2021 and 2023, nearly 60 percent of those were granted to workers considered to be in low-skilled jobs, including chefs, fishmongers, and poultry workers.
Of the three million lower-skilled immigrants granted work visas, over 62,000 were listed as working in the care system.
In that time, the share of skilled work permits being granted for below-graduate level jobs rose from 11 percent in 2021 to 62 percent in 2023.
The statistics have been described as a “betrayal” of the Tory party’s 2019 manifesto pledge of bringing net migration down by focusing on bringing highly-skilled workers to the UK.
Alp Mehmet, chairman of campaign group Migration Watch, said that in fact, the “reverse is now true.”
“Allowing immigration to continue at anything like present levels will change the nature of the country within a generation,” he said on Friday.
Record Highs
Official estimates published in May revealed how net migration had hit a new record high, with 606,000 immigrants from non-EU countries arriving for work, study, and humanitarian reasons.The figure marked a significant increase from 2021 when net migration stood at 488,000.
Speaking at the time, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged the numbers were “too high”—but denied that net migration was out of control.
The Labour Party blamed the rise on the government’s alleged failure to tackle a skills shortage.
From April to June this year, over 78,000 British work permits were granted to immigrants outside Europe.
Of those, over 23,000 were temporary workers, with the majority granted to seasonal employees.
It stated: “Since overhauling its immigration policies, the UK Government has gradually expanded a list of shortage occupations, making It easier for software developers and even ballet dancers to immigrate.
“However, by far the biggest increase has been for 62,018 immigrant care workers—jobs that require a minimum level of education.”
“The upshot has been the highest immigration in our history (over 600,000 in the last available year), yet no serious measures to reduce it,” the press statement said.
“Some Ministers are now even pushing to open new global immigration routes for roles at the same level as bin men, shelf stackers, and factory workers.”
The report states that instead of getting a grip on immigration, the UK’s policies have “systematically made immigration easier.”
Cabinet Rift
The skilled-worker visa is the main work route under the UK’s “points-based system.”It was introduced in 2020 and replaced a visa previously known as Tier 2.
However, unlike the Tier 2 visa, there is no maximum amount of time that can be spent in the UK on a skilled worker permit, provided the leave remains valid.
Migrants applying to work in the UK under this route need to demonstrate that they meet a specific set of requirements for which they must score at least at least 70 points.
In addition to passing criminality checks, the applicant must speak English to an acceptable standard, must have a job offer from a licensed employer and the job must be at or above the minimum skill level.
The job they intend to carry out must also meet a salary threshold.
The government previously said the points-based system would reduce the number of legal migrants coming to the UK. It also claimed there would be “fewer lower-skilled migrants.”
However, since the points-based system was introduced, there has been a significant increase in the number of skilled worker visas granted for non-graduate jobs which amount to 124,104 since 2021.
Earlier this month, Downing Street sought to quell Cabinet concerns that a possible free trade deal with India would involve handing out more visas.
Mr. Sunak had continued to thrash out the potential deal with New Delhi as he travelled to the Indian capital for the G20 summit.
According to newspaper reports, Home Secretary Suella Braverman raised concerns at a Cabinet meeting about India’s reported desire for any deal to bring a relaxation in immigration controls for Indians.
But a Number 10 spokesperson said at the time there were no plans to change the UK’s immigration policy to secure the deal.
Asked about reports of the Cabinet rift, the prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “I can’t get into what was or was not discussed in Cabinet.
“I think there’s an important point to stress on visas. The Prime Minister has been clear he believes that the current levels of migration are too high. He and the Home Secretary, indeed the immigration minister (Robert Jenrick), are united in their commitment to reducing net migration.
“I can’t comment on the details of ongoing negotiations, but to be crystal clear, there are no plans to change our immigration policy to achieve this free trade agreement. That includes student visas.”
However, the official indicated an expansion of business visas would potentially be considered.
