UK Election 2024: Key Immigration Issues and Party Stances

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Key Takeaways:

Immigration remains a critical issue in the 2024 UK election, with policies from major parties reflecting distinct approaches.
Net migration reached record highs in 2022 and 2023, driven by work visas, international students, and humanitarian routes.
Conservative and Labour party policies differ on immigration, impacting job growth, economy, and sectors reliant on migrant workers.

Why Immigration is a Critical Issue in the 2024 UK Election

Immigration remains a key topic as the 2024 UK election draws near, with two major parties putting forth distinct policy proposals. Renewed interest is due to record-high net migration and its contributions to British society and the economy. This blog post will break down where the main political parties stand on this immigration issue.

UK Election 2024: Key Immigration Issues and Party Stances

What are the Recent Trends in UK Migration Levels?

In 2022, net migration to the UK reached an unprecedented 745,000, slightly decreasing to 685,000 in 2023. Before the pandemic, net migration averaged around 250,000 annually. The most significant increase in immigration figures comes from non-EU citizens. Indian nationals constituted the largest group, followed by Nigerian and Chinese citizens.

Factors Driving this Increase

Work Visas: Around 48% of the rise in non-EU immigration from 2019 to 2023 resulted from work-related migration (21%) and accompanying dependents (27%). The health and care sector saw a significant impact after care workers accessed the immigration system in February 2022.
International Students: Students and their dependents accounted for 39% of non-EU immigration. The UK’s strategy to attract international students by reintroducing post-study work rights post-Brexit played a crucial role.
Humanitarian Routes: Special visa schemes for Ukrainian refugees and Hong Kong residents also contributed to higher numbers in 2022, though this impact has since lessened.

What is Public Opinion on Immigration in the UK?

A survey conducted in April 2023 revealed that 52% of Britons believe immigration numbers should be reduced. However, public attitudes have generally softened since the Brexit referendum in 2016. Younger people, university graduates, and Labour voters tend to be more positive towards immigration compared to older individuals, those without higher education, and Conservative voters.

What are the Conservative Party’s 2024 Policies on Immigration?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party aims to significantly reduce immigration levels. Their primary proposals include:

Annual Cap on Visas: Implementing an annual cap on work and family visas, with the specific level recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee and voted on by Parliament.
Increased Salary Thresholds: Raising the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas from £26,200 to £38,700, with exceptions for certain professions.
Dependent Restrictions: Banning care workers from bringing dependents to the UK.
Family Visa Income Requirements: Raising the minimum income requirement for family visas from £18,600 to £38,700.
Student Visa Restrictions: Further restricting student visas and the graduate route.
Illegal Migration Deterrence: Continuing efforts to deter illegal migration, including the controversial Rwanda plan for processing asylum claims.

What are the Labour Party’s 2024 Policies on Immigration?

Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party focuses on reducing the demand for migrant workers rather than imposing strict numerical limits. Their key proposals include:

Retaining Some Conservative Policies: Conserving policies such as the ban on care workers bringing dependents.
Reviewing Salary Thresholds: Assessing the impact of raising the skilled worker salary threshold to £38,700.
Skills Improvement Plans: Requiring high visa-applicant sectors to develop “skills improvement plans” to train UK-based workers.
Reintroducing the Resident Labour Market Test: Employers must demonstrate attempts to recruit locally before hiring from overseas.
Banning Non-Compliant Employers: Preventing employers who breach employment laws from hiring migrant workers.
Scrapping the Rwanda Plan: Focusing on tackling people-smuggling gangs instead.

How Do These Policies Impact the UK Economy?

Migrants have been essential in filling job shortages, especially in sectors like health and social care. Post-pandemic, all job growth in the UK has stemmed from immigration. While UK-born workers have declined over the past five years, non-EU born workers increased by over a million.

Financial Benefits

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) noted that higher migration could add £7.5 billion in tax revenues by 2028-29. According to VisaVerge.com, these revenues have been crucial in covering the costs of recent tax cuts.

Recent Policy Effects

Recent Conservative policies have led to a sharp decline in early 2024 visa data. Work and study visas fell by about 20% year-on-year, while health and care worker visa applications have dropped by 75%.

What are the Potential Downsides of Reduced Immigration?

Social Care Workforce Shortages: The social care sector might face severe workforce pressures due to reliance on migrant workers.
Slowing Job Growth: Sectors like professional and scientific services, accommodation, and hospitality might see slowed job growth without skilled migrants.
Economic and Tax Revenue Impact: Reduced immigration might hinder economic growth and lower tax revenues, impacting public finances and services.

What is the Long-term Impact of Immigration Policies?

As the UK approaches the 2024 election, the debate over immigration policy heats up. Both major parties strive to balance public concerns with economic needs. The election outcome will have far-reaching consequences for the UK’s demographics, economy, and public services in the upcoming years.

For more detailed information on UK immigration policies, you can visit UK Government Immigration Information.

Stay informed and make your vote count in the upcoming UK election. Each policy will shape the future of the country’s economic and social landscape.

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Glossary of Immigration Terms

Net Migration: The difference between the number of people entering a country (immigrants) and those leaving (emigrants). In this context, it refers to the record-high levels of net migration to the UK, which peaked at 745,000 in 2022.
Work Visas: Permits that allow foreign nationals to enter and work in a country for a set period. The document highlights the significant role of work visas in the rise of non-EU immigration to the UK from 2019 to 2023.
International Students: Foreign nationals who enter the UK primarily for educational purposes. They accounted for a notable portion of non-EU immigration, influenced by post-study work rights policies.
Skilled Worker Visa: A type of work visa that requires applicants to meet specific skill and salary thresholds. The Conservative Party proposes raising the salary threshold for these visas to £38,700 to manage immigration levels.
Migration Advisory Committee (MAC): An independent public body that advises the UK government on migration issues. The Conservative Party’s policy includes proposals for an annual cap on visas, with levels recommended by the MAC.

This Article In A Nutshell:

Immigration shapes the 2024 UK election debate. With net migration peaking, parties diverge on policies. Conservatives propose strict visa caps and higher salary thresholds, while Labour aims to boost local skills and retain some caps. Balancing public opinion and economic needs, these differing approaches will significantly impact the UK’s future.
— By VisaVerge.com

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