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On 4 December 2023, Home Secretary James Cleverly presented a five-point plan to reduce migration levels and curb abuses of the immigration system, delivering the biggest-ever reduction in net migration by up to 300,000 a year. The plan is expected to come in to force in spring 2024.
1. Health and Care visa, including care worker dependants to be reformed:
Care workers will not be allowed to bring any dependents to the UK, and care companies will be required to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
2. Increased general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route:
The government will increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50% from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700.
3. The Shortage Occupation List to be reformed:
The Shortage Occupation List will be reformed and the current 20% going rate salary discount for shortage occupations will be abolished.
4. Minimum income requirement for spouse and family applications to be increased:
The minimum income requirement for sponsoring partners under Appendix FM will rise from £18,600 to £38,700.
5. Review of the Graduate route:
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will be requested to review the Graduate visa route.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said:
“It is clear that net migration remains far too high. By leaving the European Union we gained control over who can come to the UK, but far more must be done to bring those numbers down so British workers are not undercut and our public services put under less strain.
“My plan will deliver the biggest ever reduction in net migration and will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would not have been able to do so. I am taking decisive action to halt the drastic rise in our work visa routes and crack down on those who seek to take advantage of our hospitality.”