UK announces rise in salary threshold for foreign workers visas to cut immigration
British government on Monday announced a set of initiatives aimed at reducing net migration to the United Kingdom. Among these measures is a proposal to elevate the minimum salary prerequisite for foreign workers to qualify for a work visa.
Interior Minister James Cleverly informed the parliament that the minimum salary for skilled foreign workers to obtain a visa would undergo a substantial hike, reaching approximately £38,000 ($47,899), a notable increase from the current £26,200.
«We will stop immigration undercutting the salary of British workers,» Cleverly said.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to decrease migration levels, which have increased post-Brexit, despite the Conservative Party's 2019 election commitment to lower them.
Earlier, his spokesperson informed the British press that migration was too high and pointed out «abuse» of measures implemented over several years. However, recent statistics highlight the challenge faced by ministers in reducing migration, particularly in the health sector, which heavily relies on hiring foreign workers.
According to the latest data, the number of health and care worker visas issued in the year ending September reached 143,990, doubling from the previous year.
