Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping overhaul of the UK’s legal immigration system, promising a “significant” fall in net migration over the next four years.

Unveiling the government’s latest proposals on Monday, Starmer confirmed plans to ban the recruitment of overseas care workers, increase costs for employers hiring foreign staff, and raise qualification thresholds for skilled worker visas. Although he did not commit to a precise figure, the Home Office estimates suggest the changes could reduce immigration by 100,000 annually by 2029, based on eight key policy areas.

“These reforms will bring the immigration system back into control,” Starmer said, rejecting claims that the proposals were a reaction to Reform UK’s electoral performance. “Every area of the immigration system, including work, family and study, will be tightened up so we have more control. Enforcement will be tougher than ever and migration numbers will fall.”

Key among the measures is the scrapping of a visa route created under Boris Johnson’s government, which had allowed employers to hire health and social care workers from abroad. Moving forward, firms must recruit British nationals or retain existing overseas staff already residing in the UK. The Home Office estimates this policy shift alone will reduce annual immigration by 7,000 to 8,000 people.

Employers will also face increased financial pressure. The Immigration Skills Charge will rise by 32%, with smaller businesses paying up to £2,400 to sponsor a foreign worker and larger ones up to £6,600.

Universities may also be affected, with the government considering a new tax on each international student enrolled in a UK institution. Proceeds from the tax would be channelled into skills training. In addition, stricter compliance thresholds will be enforced: 95% of international students must start their courses and 90% must complete them.

Further changes include reinstating the degree-level qualification requirement for skilled worker visa applicants — undoing previous reforms under Boris Johnson’s administration. This is expected to make about 180 job roles ineligible for visas. Exceptions will apply to sectors with enduring labour shortages or those vital to the government’s industrial strategy, pending recommendations from the independent Migration Advisory Committee.

Despite the government’s efforts, Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the measures, saying: “This is nowhere near the scale of the change we need to see.”

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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