Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday unveiled sweeping immigration reforms aimed at reducing net migration and regaining political ground, as his government faces mounting pressure from the rising anti-immigration Reform Party.
Speaking from Downing Street, Starmer declared the end of what he called an "experiment in open borders" under the previous Conservative government, vowing to “finally take back control” of Britain’s borders — echoing a prominent pro-Brexit slogan.
One major reform is that the migrants will also have to wait 10 years to apply to settle in the UK. This will end automatic settlement in the UK after five years.
As per reports, the net migration hit a record 906,000 in June 2023, and last year it stood at 728,000.
“I promised to restore control and cut migration, and I'm delivering with tough new measures,” said Starmer, as the government prepared to present its Immigration White Paper to Parliament.
Key proposals include extending the residency requirement for settlement and citizenship from five to ten years, tightening English language requirements for adult dependents, and overhauling rules across work, family, and study visas. “Enforcement will be tougher than ever,” the prime minister said.
Interior Minister Yvette Cooper, who will present the policy document, described the reforms as a “radical package” designed to clamp down on lower-skilled immigration and foreign criminals. Under the new rules, all foreign nationals convicted of any offence — not just those sentenced to more than a year — will be flagged for possible deportation.
Cooper also pledged to cut 50,000 lower-skilled worker visas this year and raise the threshold for skilled worker visas, with new requirements for a university degree. High-skilled professionals such as doctors, engineers, and AI specialists would be fast-tracked.
The reforms come as net migration reached 728,000 in the 12 months to June last year. Starmer’s Labour Party has been under pressure to respond, especially after the Reform Party made gains in recent local elections.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to stopping illegal Channel crossings. More than 36,800 people arrived in small boats from France last year, with 84 fatalities recorded, including at least 14 children.
Since taking office last July, Starmer’s administration says it has deported over 24,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK — the highest rate in eight years.
