October 2024
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This conference brought together policymakers and stakeholders to examine the future for immigration policy in the UK.
It was an early opportunity to consider priorities for policy in the new Parliament, including assessing the new Government’s plans to reduce net migration through reform of the points-based system and the skills system, alongside the introduction of a new Border Security Command, as well as the likely impact of measures in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill announced in the King’s Speech.
The conference took place following the Home Secretary’s announcement of further measures to enforce immigration rules and increase returns, with latest Home Office statistics indicating a decline in immigration numbers.
The agenda included a focus on potential options for reform, and how the immigration system can best be utilised to support the UK labour market. Delegates considered government plans to address skills shortages by upskilling the domestic workforce to reduce employer demand for overseas workers, with discussion on strengthening the Migration Advisory Committee and the creation of Skills England, and introducing new powers to ban hiring from overseas for employers and agencies that break employment law. Recent statistics show a 26% decrease in health and care visa applications.
Sessions also provided an opportunity for delegates to consider potential impacts of the Government’s immigration policies and priorities for tourism and the wider economy, including the Home Office’s announcement that everyone wishing to travel to the UK, except British and Irish citizens, will need permission in advance through an ETA or eVisa.
Delegates discussed key issues and implementation so far of changes to legal migration rules for family and work visas announced by the previous government in December 2023, with restrictions on dependents coming to the UK and increases in the baseline minimum salary to be sponsored for a Skilled Work Visa. They also explored the recent fall in visa applications and its impact on staff and labour shortages, with early indications showing a 27% fall in visa applications overall.
Potential impacts on key sectors, including health and social care, were discussed as well as how they can be addressed.
Further areas for discussion included priorities for tackling labour exploitation, minimising the risk of deception and ensuring workers are fully informed of the nature of their work.
The conference also followed MAC’s Graduate route: rapid review, looking at who is using the route, their activities during and after the route, and its impact on international student numbers and the UK economy. With MAC reporting no evidence of abuse and recommending the continuation of the route, further sessions in the agenda wexplored the future of international student migration, including employment in the UK job market post-graduation.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Philippa Rouse, Director, Migration and Citizenship, and Senior Responsible Officer, Future Border and Immigration System Programme, Home Office; Professor Brian Bell, Chair, Migration Advisory Committee; and Dr Madeleine Sumption, Director, Migration Observatory.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- the UK points-based immigration system:
- the current system: assessing immigration strategy - recent migration trends - priorities for developing immigration policy to meet long and short-term economic objectives
- impact: how the points-based system has impacted the economy and user experiences of immigration - impact of the recently reported reduction in approved visas for the health and care sector
- key issues for future policy: options for reform of the points-based system - what is needed for a joined-up approach to immigration linked to skills needs - approaches to effective development and implementation - involvement of the NCA to target organised immigration crime networks
- international student migration:
- impact on students: how changes to student visas would impact international students in terms of accessibility and experience of HE
- post-graduation employment: assessing recent trends and the impact of international students on UK labour markets - how the UK can strike a balance with student migration to support the economy
- policy: the future of the graduate route following the MAC’s review - options for policy in the new parliament
- UK labour market:
- labour shortages: assessing the role and effectiveness of the shortage occupation list - priorities for alleviating pressures in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and health and social care - exploring the decrease in visa applications for the health and social care sector
- policy options: what is needed for immigration policy to best tackle labour shortages, including short-term and seasonal work options - government plans to address skills shortages through the creation of Skills England
- tackling labour exploitation: improving identification, inspection and enforcement capacity - incentivising proactive cooperation from high-risk industries and employers - options for further regulation
- supporting victims: empowering exploited workers to seek support - considering incentives and drivers behind behaviour
- impact on businesses: considering the complexity of the system and its impact on user experience and accessibility for SMEs - exploring collaborative frameworks between businesses and government
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those that attended include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and officials from FCDO; ICIBI; Home Office; MAC; NAO; the Executive Office, NI; DWP; DBT; MHCLG; ONS; Defra; DAERA, NI; Department for the Economy, NI; DfE; DoH, NI; HMRC; DCEDIY, ROI; DFHERIS, ROI; DPENDR, ROI; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
