Keir Starmer

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced major immigration reforms to significantly reduce net migration over the next four years. The new policies include stricter English language requirements, extended citizenship waiting periods, and limitations on foreign recruitment. Under the proposed changes, immigrants must wait 10 years instead of five before applying for citizenship. The reforms also restrict skilled worker visas to graduate-level positions and limit companies' ability to hire from abroad, including in the care sector. The announcement comes as net migration reached 906,000 in the year to June 2023, compared to 184,000 in 2019 when Britain was still in the European Union. This surge was partly due to increased arrivals from Ukraine, Hong Kong, and foreign students. Starmer defended the reforms against business concerns about economic impact, citing recent years' stagnant growth despite high immigration. While avoiding specific numerical targets, […]