British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to reduce immigration by reforming the country’s points-based system. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Starmer laid out plans to overhaul visa policies, aiming to shift the burden onto businesses to train local workers rather than rely on foreign labor. His announcement came just hours after new data revealed that net migration had soared to an unprecedented high of over 900,000 in the year to June 2023.
Starmer criticized the previous Conservative government, accusing it of mismanaging immigration and allowing policies that contributed to the sharp rise in migrant numbers. He labeled the current situation a “failure of a different order,” attributing it in part to the open-border policies following Brexit. Brexit, initially promoted as a means of controlling immigration, has been blamed for creating vulnerabilities in the country’s labor system, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare and social services.
The Prime Minister pledged to reform the points-based system introduced by the Conservatives in 2021. The system assigns points for specific skills and qualifications and grants visas only to those meeting the criteria. Starmer emphasized that businesses must now demonstrate efforts to train domestic workers to reduce dependency on migrant labor. If companies fail to comply, they could face bans on hiring overseas workers, he warned.
“We cannot allow sectors to over-rely on immigration. Our system must prioritize investment in British workers. Applications for visa routes such as the skilled worker or shortage occupation categories will now come with clear expectations for training our own people,” Starmer stated.
The issue of high immigration remains a contentious topic in Britain. While some argue that public services are stretched thin under the pressure of rising numbers, others stress that key sectors, such as healthcare, would collapse without foreign workers. The divide reflects broader debates about balancing economic needs with public concerns about overpopulation and strained infrastructure.
New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has intensified the debate. The ONS reported a net migration figure of 906,000 for the year ending June 2023, significantly higher than earlier estimates. The jump has been attributed to more comprehensive data, improved estimation methods, and the inclusion of Ukrainian visa holders.
While the ONS noted a decline in net migration to 728,000 in the year to June 2024, the figure remains well above historical levels. This reduction is partly due to rule changes under the previous Conservative government, which tightened restrictions on dependents accompanying international students.
The immigration landscape has also shifted in recent years. Post-Brexit visa policies led to a dramatic drop in migrants from the European Union but resulted in a surge of workers from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. These migrants have played a vital role in filling gaps in health and social care sectors, which have struggled with severe staff shortages.
Starmer’s proposed reforms come amid growing pressure to address public dissatisfaction with the current immigration system. While he acknowledged the importance of skilled foreign workers in some areas, he insisted on reducing reliance on overseas labor in favor of empowering the domestic workforce.
The debate over immigration continues to shape Britain’s political and social landscape. With Starmer’s reforms on the horizon, businesses and policymakers will face increased scrutiny as the government attempts to strike a balance between economic needs and public expectations.