Labour’s first month signals direction of immigration policy

The new Labour government has used its first month in office to signal its direction of travel on UK immigration policy.

The government’s first task was to scrap the previous government’s Rwanda plan. In a statement to Parliament on 22nd July 2024, the new Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, confirmed that the government would instead focus its resources on establishing a new border security command, a returns programme, and to start clearing the backlog of asylum claims which had stalled under the last government.

To assist with asylum decision-making, the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (Amendment) Regulations 2024, were laid before Parliament on 23rd July. This statutory instrument ends the retrospective nature of some provisions in the Illegal Migration Act 2023 which had left many asylum seekers in limbo. On the same day, the government announced its decision not to renew the contract for use of the Bibby Stockholm barge, in anticipation of a decreased demand for asylum accommodation.

Furthermore, the new government has instead taken steps to expand existing legal migration routes to the UK for those in need of protection. On 30th July, the new Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, announced an expansion of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), making good on a promise of the previous government to allow for family reunion of those separated during the military evacuation from Kabul in August 2021. Those applying must do so before the deadline of 30th October 2024.

The Labour manifesto was light on detail when it came to its plans on economic and family migration. Those hopeful for a more liberal approach to migration policy may be disappointed. In a statement on 30th July, the Home Secretary confirmed the government’s intention to retain several of the previous government’s changes to the immigration rules. These include:

• Restrictions on the majority of international students from bringing family members to the UK
• Restricting the ability of care workers and senior care workers to be joined in the UK by their dependants
• The increase to the general salary threshold for sponsorship under the skilled worker route, which increased from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024
• The abolition of the 20% going rate salary discount in shortage occupations

The government also confirmed that the minimum income threshold for family members, which increased from £18,600 to £29,000, will remain at that level for the time being. The last government had indicated its intention to introduce two further incremental increases by 2025. Labour has asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements for family members. It has also commissioned the MAC to review the reliance on international recruitment in some key sectors, specifically IT and engineering. Interestingly, in commissioning the report, the Home Secretary has stated she is open to considering a range of options, including a regional approach to migration solutions. This is bound to be welcomed by those operating within the Scottish economy who have long argued for a tailored migration policy which takes into account Scotland’s unique economic and demographic needs. The MAC is expected to report back next year.