Salary Threshold Rise Sparks Concerns About Government's Net Migration Strategy

UK Tightens Immigration Rules, Makes Life Harder for Foreign Workers

James Cleverly Drops a New Five‑Point Plan

In a late‑afternoon Commons debate, the Home Secretary rolled out a hard‑line strategy to curb immigration. The plan’s the most aggressive ever, targeting visa restrictions and dropping the ambassador’s top‑coat on several key sectors.

Care workers can’t bring families – Yes, the UK wants solo healthcare heroes now.
Higher salary thresholds – The “skilled worker” visa salary lift jumps from £26,000 to a staggering £38,700.
Extra visa fees – Employers will have to pay more, potentially stifling recruitment.
Eligible roles tightened – Many low‑pay immigrant jobs become ineligible for sponsorship.
Long‑term training push – The policy relies on domestic skill development rather than foreign talent.

Why the Cut‑throat Changes?

The UK is at an all‑time high for net immigration figures, and policymakers are under fire to reduce the influx. “The new stance is about ‘tougher’ or ‘robust’ than before,” James Cleverly said, making it clear that the goal is to shrink the number of people coming into the country.

Impact on the Skills Market

Immigration experts warn that the salary shift will have ripple effects:

Companies might raise wages to meet the threshold—possible uptick in living costs.
In sectors heavily reliant on EU commuters, the training lag could worsen shortages.
Higher government fees add to the overall cost of hiring overseas talent.

Charlotte Wills, a legal partner, flagged the risk: “Perhaps we are prioritizing politics over economics, and that may backtrack progress made in the immigration system.”