UK Immigration: New Measures to Reduce Immigration through Local Skills Development

On the 24th of September, the UK government announced new measures aimed at reducing net migration and “addressing the country’s reliance on international workers”. Here’s an overview of the changes:

Sector-Specific Needs and Local Skills

The government plans to target sectors that “heavily depend on international workers”, encouraging them to invest in developing local talent instead. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will monitor these sectors, identifying skills shortages and providing annual assessments to guide policy decisions.

The government’s goal is to connect migration policy with local skills training and labor market needs, reducing the reliance on international recruitment for filling skills gaps, particularly in "key sectors which have consistently relied on the international workforce, rather than sourcing the workers and skills they need in the UK", like IT and Engineering. 

Revised Visa Sponsorship Rules

New rules are being implemented to strengthen the visa sponsorship process for migrant workers. This includes actions against employers who do not comply with employment laws, which may affect their ability to hire from abroad. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will also increase investigations to address issues of visa abuse and protect the rights of migrant workers.

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These new measures build on existing immigration policies aimed at reducing migration to the UK, now focusing on local skills development and enhanced compliance in the visa sponsorship process. Our expert UK team is here to assist you with employee relocation in the UK, providing guidance through these policy changes and ensuring your compliance with regulations. Reach out to us today to explore how we can support your team.