Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

VISA VICTORY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS

The Prime minister and the home secretary have unveiled post-Brexit immigration proposals on Tuesday (2) as the Conservative government seeks to commit to lower

and “sustainable” levels of migration after Britain leaves the EU next year.


Workers from the EU will need visas to enter Britain, which will be issued based on skills, rather than migrants’ nationality.

Prime minister Theresa May also pledged her commitment to keep the net migration figures below 100,000, a target which she set during her term as home secretary but has not been met.

Home secretary Sajid Javid announced a salary threshold, but did not mention what the limit would be, saying it would be set out in a white paper in the autumn. He also confirmed a new “British values test” to replace the existing quiz for new citizens and promised a tougher examination of English for migrants seeking to settle in the UK.

The proposals follow several key recommendations from a report released last month by the government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which were announced at the

party conference in Birmingham earlier this week.

May said free movement of people within the EU would conclude with Brexit and “for the first time in decades, it will be this country that controls and chooses who we want to come here”.

“It will be a skills-based system where it is workers’ skills that matter, not where they come from,” the prime minister said in a statement. “For too long, people have felt they have been ignored on immigration.

“The new skills-based system will make sure low-skilled immigration is brought down and set the UK on the path to reduce immigration to sustainable levels.”

May said those wanting to live and work in Britain for the long-term would need to earn a minimum salary and only be able to bring their family if sponsored by future employers.

However, she conceded that immigration policy could be affected by Britain’s future trade deals.

Among countries which could implement new trade negotiations with the UK after Brexit is India.

Its high commissioner to Britain, YK Sinha, told BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday that India would want more visas as part of a trade deal. The envoy said India would be willing for its highly-skilled professionals to work in the UK, but he hoped they would eventually return to the subcontinent.

“What I am asking for is demand and supply,” the high commissioner said. “You need doctors or IT specialists and we will give them. If the UK wants highly-skilled people, we have them; but we want them to come (to the UK) temporarily because we want those [skill sets] to come back.”

Several Asian businessmen and campaigners have reacted to the latest proposals

with divided opinion. Dr Rami Ranger CBE, the founder of Sun Mark, told Eastern Eye he welcomed the government’s proposals to change immigration rules post-Brexit.

He stated no one should have an automatic right to live and work in the UK, including citizens of the European Union.

“People should only be allowed to come to Britain if the country needs their skills and expertise,” he said. “Allowing (only) low-skilled migrant workers will not only create unemployment in the country, but will also encourage exploitation of workers on low wages.”

The businessman added he did not believe in a quota system for migrants, and people should be allowed in if they needed to fulfil a skills gap. Dr Ranger also warned Britain would face labour shortages until new immigration rules were defined.

Addressing the party conference on Tuesday, Javid asserted immigration has been good for Britain, but after Brexit the UK needs to “stay strong and prosperous”.

The home secretary said the government wished to welcome migrants into the country and added the EU referendum of 2016 opened an opportunity to reshape the immigration system for the future.

“[We will have] a skills-based, single system that is opened up to talent from across the world, a system that doesn’t discriminate between any one region or country, a system based on merit that judges people not by where they are from, but on what they can do,” Javid said.

“What people want – and they will get – is control of our own system with a lower and sustainable level of net migration.”

Labour’s shadow home secretary Diane Abbott described the Tory immigration plans as “meaningless” unless the targets were lifted.

The cap serves only one purpose, she stressed, to “demonise and vilify” people who choose to come and work in the UK.

On Javid’s introduction of a new socalled “British values test”, Abbott said it remained unclear if the exam was an improvement on the former home secretary May’s test implemented in 2015.

“The idea that a government whose hostile environment policy and handling of the Windrush scandal has brought shame to the country should be defining British values is deeply worrying,” Abbott said.

Carolyn Fairbairn, the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), cautioned that the dismissal of low-skilled workers could impact businesses and living standards. She added restricting access to the workers that the UK needs is “self-defeating”.

Fairbairn also referred to the lack of change regarding the net migration figures (below 100,000) as “disappointing”.

“This target means that everyday workers with skills the UK needs are turned away and jobs left unfilled,” she said. “Employers all over the UK will continue to urge its abolition to show the world Britain means business.”

More developments, including favouring highly-skilled migrants above low skilled

ones and applicants hoping to immigrate for work being required to meet a minimum salary threshold to ensure they are not competing for jobs that could be recruited in the UK, were also revealed this week.

Restricting the entrance of foreign low skilled workers has been regarded as problematic by some, however. Last week, chancellor Philip Hammond argued a plan to reduce the number of low skilled migrants could lead to labour shortages in parts of the economy.

Koolesh Shah, a hotelier and founder of the London Town Group, shared similar sentiments. Pointing out 15 per cent of the UK hospitality sector are from the EU, the recent announcement could “pose a potential serious problem for the industry as a whole”.

“We have seen a decline in applications from people overseas applying for jobs in London Town Hotels,” Shah told Eastern Eye. “We dedicate a lot of time and effort into resourcing our teams, it is a key part of our business.”

Remarking on the difficulties retaining talent in the hospitality industry, Shah raised concerns for the future of the sector. It is only going to get worse if nothing is

done to reverse this ever-growing decline, he said, and added without good talent

any hospitality business will struggle. Aditi Bhardwaj is one of the protest

organisers for Highly Skilled Migrants. The campaigner group represents more

than 600 professionals (including doctors and teachers) and their families throughout

Britain.

The group protested against the Home Office’s policies on immigration in the

past, including on alleged “delays and unjustified refusals” related to their applications

for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in Britain.

On the latest immigration proposals, Bhardwaj welcomed the termination of a cap on highly-skilled migrants. However, she stressed her worries for the lack of low-skilled migrants in the future. “We have a lot of new UK citizens and Brits who are entrepreneurs now – be it in start-ups or any food innovative local places – where would they fill in the gap of low skilled migrants from?” Bhardwaj said. “The lack of low-skilled migrants will be problematic for sure – a lot of British people don’t want to do a certain job role, and who will fill that role?”

Noting several new proposals making transitions more difficult for employment, such as May’s immigration rule that employers should sponsor the families of foreign workers, the former UK director of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is

worried the impact it could have on Indian businesses.

Pratik Dattani told Eastern Eye: “As an SME and a former UK head of India’s oldest

chamber of commerce, this sends absolutely the wrong signal to Indian businesses looking to set up in the UK.”

Nikhil Shah, co-founder of technology company S-Cube, told Eastern Eye he hoped the latest rules would work to help students and graduates stay in the UK. He said technology companies’ domains are looking to hire science and engineering grads continuously.

“To support this [need], the government needs to entice EU grads who are completing degrees at institutions like Cambridge and Imperial to want to stay and work in the UK, rather than move away due to Brexit uncertainty,” he said.

However, activist Bhardwaj revealed to Eastern Eye that she was unsure if foreigners

would even want to immigrate to the UK regardless of the new immigration

changes.

“Why would someone want to go through all this [trouble with the home office and visa restrictions],” she said. “I know some of my friends back in India…they are scared, and people tell each other don’t go to the UK.”

She added her own visa troubles have contributed majorly to her mental health

and she relies on anti-depressants and counselling sessions. “I didn’t come to the UK to live like this,” Bhardwaj said.

More For You

Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

Foreign Office minister Catherine West, health secretary Wes Streeting and equalities minister Seema Malhotra during the Holi Reception in London.

Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

THE recent health and life sciences agreement between the UK and India will strengthen cooperation on healthcare innovation and security in both countries, health secretary Wes Streeting said.

Speaking at the Holi reception organised by the India All-Party Parliamentary Group and the 1928 Institute in London on Monday (24), he added that the contribution of British Indians has been pivotal in the growth of the NHS since its inception in 1948, and a robust partnership between the two nations will ensure we have a healthcare provider 'fit for the future'.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-steel-iStock

An aerial view of Steel Plant Industry in Scunthorpe. (Photo: iStock)

British Steel to shut blast furnaces, up to 2,700 jobs at risk

BRITISH STEEL, owned by Chinese group Jingye, confirmed on Thursday that it will shut down its blast furnaces and steelmaking operations in England, attributing the decision to market challenges, tariffs, and rising environmental costs.

The closures, first proposed in late 2023, could lead to the loss of up to 2,700 jobs at the company’s main UK site in Scunthorpe, northern England, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Just Stop Oil

Just Stop Oil has garnered significant media attention with its direct action protests

Getty Images

Just Stop Oil ends direct action campaign after major policy success

The environmental activist group Just Stop Oil has announced an end to its disruptive direct action protests, declaring a significant victory in its campaign to halt new oil and gas developments. In a statement released by the organisation, the group confirmed it had successfully influenced government policy to abandon new fossil fuel exploration, marking a major turning point in the movement’s goals.

“Just Stop Oil's initial demand to end new oil and gas is now government policy, making us one of the most successful civil resistance campaigns in recent history,” the group’s statement read. It went on to claim responsibility for having kept over 4.4 billion barrels of oil in the ground, while legal victories in the courts have ruled new oil and gas licences unlawful.

Keep ReadingShow less
submarine-crash-reuters

People walk next to an ambulance in front of the hospital where the bodies of foreigners who were killed when a tourist submarine sank off Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Hurghada, and whose nationalities are still unknown, are kept. (Photo: Reuters)

Six foreign tourists die after submarine sinks off Egypt’s Red Sea coast

SIX tourists died on Thursday when a submarine carrying visitors sank near Hurghada, a resort city on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, state media reported.

According to the state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper, all the deceased were foreigners. The report also said 19 others were injured in the incident.

Keep ReadingShow less
EU Warns Citizens to Stockpile Essentials Amid War Concerns

Not all EU countries currently have the same level of preparedness

Getty Images

European Union urges citizens to stockpile food and supplies amid risk of war

The European Union (EU) has advised its 450 million citizens to stockpile essential items, including food and water, to prepare for potential emergencies. This call to action is part of a broader strategy to improve disaster preparedness across the 27-nation bloc, as it faces increasing risks from war, cyberattacks, climate change, and public health crises.

The EU’s recommendation comes in light of recent global developments that have raised concerns about security and stability. Citizens are encouraged to have enough food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies to last at least 72 hours during a crisis.

Keep ReadingShow less