The Interior Minister, James Cleverly, informed parliament about the substantial increase in the minimum salary required for skilled foreign workers to obtain a visa, now set at £38,000 ($47,899), up from the current £26,200. This adjustment aligns with the median full-time wage, aiming to prevent immigration from undercutting the salaries of British workers.
Cleverly emphasized that this measure would lead to 300,000 fewer individuals coming to the UK in the coming years. The Home Secretary declared, “Enough is enough,” unveiling proposals scheduled to take effect early next year.
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While health and social care workers are exempted, Cleverly specified that they would be restricted from bringing family dependents. Concerns were raised by NHS Providers and Care England, emphasizing the impact on the social care sector, which has already been strained by Brexit-induced staff shortages.
In addition to raising the minimum income for family visas to £38,700, Cleverly confirmed restrictions on international students bringing dependents. He also announced a 66% increase in the NHS surcharge paid by migrants, reaching £1,035. Critics argue that this amounts to a double charge on migrant workers, considering National Insurance charges already contribute to healthcare coverage.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed the government’s commitment to reducing immigration, stating, “Immigration is too high. Today we’re taking radical action to bring it down.” Recent data revealed a record annual net migration of 745,000 to the UK last year, with sustained high levels.
