In a bold move, the UK government has unveiled a strategic plan aimed at reducing net migration to the country making it harder for employers to recruit staff from overseas. The initiative encompasses various aspects of immigration policy, with key changes including stricter measures on dependants, increased minimum salaries for overseas workers and sponsors, modifications to the Health and Care Visa, and a crackdown on “cut price” labour.

By unveiling this plan, the government is aiming to discourage an over-reliance migration with a focus on growing the domestic workforce. These measures follow actions to address student visas, and the government plans to review the Graduate visa route.  

These changes are due to come into effect from spring 2024. A brief summary of the changes are:

1. Restrictions on dependents by preventing overseas care workers from bringing their dependents to the UK.
2. Salary threshold increase from the current minimum threshold of £26,200 to £38,700. Those coming on Health and Care visa`s will be exempt from the increase to the salary threshold.
3. Increase to minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK to sponsor family members from £18,600 to £38,700.
4. Health and Care visa amendments by allowing care providers to only sponsor migrant workers if they are undertaking activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
5. Changes to the shortage occupation list by ending the 20% going rate salary discount for shortage occupations and replacing the shortage occupation list with a new Immigration Salary List. The list will retain a general threshold discount and will be reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee in order to reduce the number of occupations on the list.