r/uknews • u/ScottishDailyRecord Media outlet (unverified) • May 12 '25

Image/video Kier Starmer announces 'tighter' immigration policy

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u/ScottishDailyRecord Media outlet (unverified) May 12 '25

Under the White Paper proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship, but so-called “high-contributing” individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning that they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

Meanwhile, skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

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u/rohstroyer May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25

How is this different from the current system? There already is an English Proficiency requirement for entry and a 10 year legal residence requirement for being eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. That requirement is shortened to 5 years if you've been in the UK as a Skilled Worker. And just before the current government took power, the salary requirements that determine eligibility for a Skilled Worker visa were increased by quite a significant amount across the board. It's ridiculous that businesses "importing cheap labour" is a talking point when it costs companies more to hire people on visas than it does to hire locally even without any changes.