The British government has outlined a new plan to end its ‘failed free market experiment’ in mass migration, by restricting skilled worker visas to graduate-level jobs and forcing businesses to increase training for local workers. The new plans were announced on Sunday by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, because of the pressure on his party to cut net migration after the success of Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party in local elections.

According to the government’s new plan, the skilled visa will only be granted to people in graduate jobs. Visas for low-skilled roles will only be issued in areas critical to the nation’s industrial strategy.  Companies within the care sector will no longer be able to see a visa for workers recruited abroad. In turn, British businesses will have to increase the training of British workers and companies, according to the government‘s plan.

Policy Change

This policy change will be part of a policy document known as white papers, which will be published on Monday. The publication will set out how ministers will plan to reduce immigration. While British employers have expressed concerns about the government’s plan to tighten the rules for foreign workers, there is also a need to fill the shortage in the job market in the UK.

Countries of the global South like India and Nepal offer an abundance of cheap labour force that helps the country in bridging its business gaps.