The UK government has unveiled a new immigration crackdown aimed at reducing net migration, which hit 728,000 last year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced stronger powers to deport foreign criminals and raise the bar for skilled worker visas. “Net migration must come down,” she wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. Her statement comes as Labour faces growing pressure from voters and the anti-immigration Reform Party.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the move, writing on X, “I promised to restore control and cut migration, and I’m delivering with tough new measures.” He blamed previous Conservative governments for “losing control of our borders.”
Skilled Worker Visa Threshold Raised, New Deportation Powers Introduced
According to the Home Office, the new measures will allow deportation of foreign nationals convicted of any offence, not just those sentenced to over a year in prison. “The system for returning foreign criminals has been far too weak for too long. We need much higher standards,” Cooper said.
The UK will also lift the income threshold for skilled worker visas to discourage low-skilled immigration. “Foreign workers will now need a degree to secure a job in the UK,” Cooper explained. She added that Labour aims to cut 50,000 lower-skilled worker visas this year.
Tougher Family Visa Rules and Channel Crossing Clampdown
The new reforms will also tighten rules around immigration through family connections. Cooper said the changes would help reduce abuse of the system.
“These changes are essential to end the chaos left by the Tories in the immigration system and to regain control,” she noted.
The government is also facing mounting pressure to address the illegal Channel crossings. Over 36,800 people reportedly arrived in the UK last year in small boats from France. So the essence of this, is to cut down immigration
Cooper is expected to present the full Immigration White Paper to Parliament this week.
