Britain announces white paper on immigration

The British government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced this week the release of its immigration white paper, which includes radical reforms aimed at reducing the number of immigrants and promoting reliance on the domestic workforce. The white paper, titled "Reclaiming Control of the Immigration System," sets a stricter framework, including the following points: • Tightening work visas: Limiting visas to jobs requiring university qualifications (RQF6), eliminating the low-wage salary list. • Halting the recruitment of foreign workers for the social care sector, with a transitional period until 2028. • Raising English language requirements for all applicants, including dependents. • Extending the period for obtaining permanent residency from 5 to 10 years. • Reducing the duration of international graduate visas from two years to 18 months. • Increasing immigration fees for employers by up to 32%. • Expanding deportation powers to include those who commit criminal offenses without requiring a prison sentence. Analysis and Potential Implications: The government aims to reduce "net migration" to less than 200,000 annually, compared to over 745,000 according to the latest statistics. While the government justifies these measures by the need to alleviate pressure on housing and public services, the changes could lead to a severe shortage in vital sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, and education. British universities are also expected to be negatively affected by the reduction in graduate visas, which could reduce Britain's attractiveness to international students and impact higher education budgets. Conclusion: The white paper reflects a significant shift in British immigration philosophy and opens the door to broad discussions on the balance between border control and meeting economic needs. While it responds to public opinion, the success of these policies depends on the government's ability to fill the labor gap without harming economic and humanitarian interests. Prepared by: Bahar Al Arab Newspaper – London May 2025