Britain’s ministers have suggested increasing the salary threshold for skilled foreign workers to over £30,000 in an effort to decrease net migration levels in the country, as reported by the media.
The proposal, which is yet to be finalised, precedes the expected release of net migration data on 23 November, 2023. The data for the year ending June 2023 is anticipated to remain at approximately 5,00,000, as reported by The Telegraph.
Workers from outside shortage occupations must earn a minimum of £26,200 to work in the UK, which is much lower than the average wage of £33,000.
Net migration in the UK touched a record high of 6,37,000 in the year ending September 2022, but then decreased to 6,06,000 by the year ending December 2022. Experts expect it to be around 5,00,000, surpassing the government’s 2019 commitment to reduce overall net migration.
The surge is attributed to the country granting visas to over 1.4 million migrants annually for work, study, or to escape conflict. Proposals to reduce net migration were advocated by Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, and Suella Braverman, former home secretary. The report did not specify if the proposals include restrictions on the 1,20,000 foreign care workers admitted annually or on migrants bringing their families to the UK.
