On the 30th July 2024, The Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, published a Written Ministerial statement setting out the Government’s ambitions for the legal migration system, including new reforms which will link migration policy and visa controls and labour market policies. These consist of:

  • The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), Skills England, the Industrial Strategy Council, and the Labour Market Advisory Board will work together to support a coherent approach to skills, migration and labour market policy, engaging and working closely with the Devolved Governments;
  • The Government will commission the MAC to review the reliance on international recruitment in key sectors, commencing with IT and engineering;
  • The Government will provide additional resources to the MAC to enable it to work more strategically to forecast future trends.

The Statement also confirms that the Government will keep some changes made earlier this year by the previous administration, including:

  • Restricting most overseas students from bringing family members to the UK;   
  • Increasing the general salary threshold for those arriving on Skilled Worker visas by 48% from £26,200 to £38,700;  
  • Abolishing the 20% going rate discount so that employers can no longer pay migrants less than UK workers in shortage occupations;
  • Introducing measures announced on 23 May to reduce the potential for abuse on the student and graduate visa routes, working closely with the Department for Education to ensure the measures are effective.

The following may also be of interest:

On 30 July, the Immigration Minister, Seema Malhotra MP published Written Ministerial Statement on Afghan Resettlement:

On 29 July, the Immigration Minister, Seema Malhotra MP published a Written Ministerial statement on the European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament

  • The UK Government is working to maintain border fluidity with the European Union throughout the implementation of the new Entry/Exit System, ensuring UK nationals and residents can continue to access European destinations effectively and efficiently.
  • Provides an update on the immediate steps being taken to improve preparations and levels of readiness.

FBIS Advisory Group (Future Border & Immigration System)

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