In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a proposal to cap migrant visas annually, allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote on immigration numbers.
The new policy will enable MPs to vote on annual government proposals aimed at regularly reducing immigration numbers, based on recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Although specific figures for the potential cap were not provided, Sunak stressed that his party was committed to taking “bold action to reduce immigration” if elected on 4 July.
Labour’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, criticised the announcement, pointing out that net migration had trebled and accusing the Conservatives of “rehashing failed announcements.” This announcement coincides with Nigel Farage’s return to lead the Reform Party, which also prioritises reducing immigration, thereby adding further pressure on Sunak.
Some Conservatives have expressed dissatisfaction with current immigration levels, viewing control over UK borders and reducing immigration figures as a pivotal election issue against Labour. Sunak’s policy aims to distinguish his party from Labour, especially with an upcoming debate with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. The Prime Minister asserted that giving MPs the decision-making power would ensure voters’ views are respected and reflected. “The plan is working but migration levels are still too high, so we are going further,” Sunak stated. He accused Labour of intending to make the UK a “global magnet for illegal immigrants,” claiming they had “no plan to reduce net migration.”
The proposed cap would target worker and family visas but exclude temporary work routes, such as the Seasonal Agricultural Workers scheme. The MAC’s remit would prioritise the economic impacts of migration, including effects on public services, wages, and productivity. Successive Tory governments, led by Theresa May, David Cameron, and Sunak, have attempted to limit visas, most recently through the Illegal Migration Act.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper dismissed the announcement as “meaningless,” arguing that the Conservatives had trebled net migration since the last election despite promises to reduce it. She added that Labour’s plan would link immigration with mandatory training and workforce plans for British workers and stop rogue employers from hiring abroad. Official statistics indicate that over 300,000 work visas were granted in the year ending March 2024, more than double the number in 2019.
New regulations this year, including a ban on international students and social care workers bringing dependent family members and an increase in the minimum salary for skilled worker visas, have resulted in a decline in health and social care visa applications. However, care providers have cautioned about difficulties in filling tens of thousands of vacancies. Nigel Farage, now leading Reform UK, criticised the population increase and advocated for “net zero immigration,” stating, “We don’t need any – we literally don’t need any,” suggesting this would lead to wage increases and skill development over university education. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Farage downplayed Reform’s previous policy to relocate asylum seekers to British overseas territories, calling the idea impractical and indicating potential policy changes under his new leadership.
The Conservative Party’s proposed cap on migrant visas, spearheaded by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to establish a more controlled approach to immigration, reflecting public sentiment. However, it has sparked significant debate and criticism from political opponents, particularly the Labour Party and its allies.
