UK Allocates $4 Billion for Vocational Education to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Workers
Rewriten News Text:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government is implementing a new immigration policy aimed at reducing reliance on foreign workers and fostering domestic skills training. The policy involves several key changes:
- The qualifying period for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) will be extended from five to ten years for all points-based routes, with potential reductions for individuals who significantly contribute to the UK economy and society.
- The skilled worker threshold will be raised to RQF 6 (graduate level) and above, with corresponding higher salary thresholds and abolition of the immigration salary list.
- Access to the points-based system will be limited to occupations experiencing long-term shortages and employers will be required to commit to increasing domestic recruitment.
- The government aims to reduce reliance on international recruitment by boosting domestic skills training, including establishing a Labour Market Evidence Group to inform policy decisions based on data.
- New English language requirements will be introduced across all immigration routes to enhance integration.
The policy aims to address the dependence on foreign workers by pushing employers to increase domestic training and recruitment. It also focuses on attracting high-skilled workers who can contribute significantly to the UK economy.
The policy announcement follows the recent electoral success of the anti-immigration Reform UK party and pressure for the government to cut immigration numbers. Critics argue that stricter immigration rules could harm the economy unless accompanied by a thorough overhaul of Britain's skills training system.
On Tuesday, the government announced plans for a 32% increase in the immigration skills charge, which aims to discourage firms from hiring foreign workers and deliver up to 45,000 additional training places to upskill the domestic workforce in priority sectors.
Meanwhile, businesses have expressed concerns that they cannot find enough local workers, warning that stricter immigration policies could negatively impact the economy unless the skills training system undergoes a fundamental transformation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
[1] Gov.uk. (2022). Points-based system: Settlement routes. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/points-based-system-settlement-routes/points-based-system-settlement-routes
[2] Home Office. (2022). Immigration Rules - Community Sponsorship. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-community-sponsorship
[3] HM Government. (2022). Immigration: A New Plan for Immigration. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-a-new-plan-for-immigration/immigration-a-new-plan-for-immigration
[4] Home Office. (2022). Skilled Worker Visas. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
[5] Gov.uk. (2022). English Language Requirements for UK Visas and Immigration. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-language-requirements-for-uk-visas-and-immigration/english-language-requirements-a-user-guide-for-uk-visas-and-immigration-applicants
The new policy announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government intends to attract high-skilled workers who can significantly contribute to the economy (investment), while emphasizing domestic skills training (general-news). However, critics warn that stricter immigration rules could harm the economy unless accompanied by a thorough overhaul of Britain's skills training system (politics).
