The number of people moving to the UK has significantly decreased after the government introduced stricter rules on visas for the families of health and care workers, as well as students. In July, the total number of skilled workers, healthcare professionals, and students applying to move to the UK dropped by one-third, bringing the number down to 91,300.
The sharpest decline was seen in applications for health and care visas, which fell by an astonishing 82%. In addition to this, there was a 15% decrease in applications from students wishing to study in the UK during the same time period. The Conservative government implemented these measures as part of their efforts to lower immigration numbers, specifically by banning the families of those coming to the UK for studies or health and social care jobs from joining them.
Even though the government has shifted from Conservative to Labour, there are currently no plans to reverse this policy. The overall net migration numbers, which had reached 764,000 in 2022, have now fallen to 684,000 in 2023. However, this reduction in migration might have some negative effects, such as putting financial pressure on universities and leading to shortages of NHS and care workers.
A spokesperson for the Home Office stressed that the government is determined to reduce the high levels of legal migration by tackling the underlying reasons behind international recruitment. The goal is to strengthen the UK workforce by improving domestic skills, thereby decreasing the need to rely on workers from abroad. In July, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the government would focus on enhancing the skills of the local workforce before looking to hire from overseas, calling this “a new approach.”
The impact of these visa restrictions has been significant, with a notable drop in applications in the sectors where the government took action. James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, pointed out the success of these stricter policies. He emphasized that the decrease in applications is a clear indication that the government’s approach is working.
Cleverly also criticized the Labour Party for their stance on immigration, suggesting that they would jeopardize the progress made by the Conservative government in controlling the UK’s borders and managing immigration more effectively. He argued that Labour’s policies could undo the positive effects of the current government’s efforts to reduce immigration.
In summary, the government’s crackdown on family visas for health and care workers, as well as students, has led to a significant drop in migration numbers. While this aligns with the government’s goal of reducing immigration, it also raises concerns about potential negative impacts on sectors like healthcare and education in the UK.