The UK releases Net Migration Factsheet

The government has already taken action to address the rise in legal migration with measures to tackle the substantial rise in the number of students bringing dependents to the UK, which came into force in January 2024. (Photo via Unsplash)

• The UK releases Net Migration Factsheet
• Latest official estimates show that net migration in the year to June 2023 was 672,000 - up significantly on pre-pandemic volumes

The government has already taken action to address the rise in legal migration with measures to tackle the substantial rise in the number of students bringing dependents to the UK, which came into force in January 2024.

The key measures that the Government is taking to cut net migration include:

• Stopping overseas care workers from bringing family dependents and requiring social care firms in England to be undertaking Care Quality Commission registered activities to sponsor visas, which will come into force on March 11
• Increasing the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50% from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700 from April 4, 2024, encouraging businesses to look to British talent first and invest in their workforce.
• Reforming the Shortage Occupation List into an Immigration Salary List. It will end the 20% going rate salary discount for shortage occupations and the Migration Advisory Committee  has been asked to review the composition of the list in line with the increased salary thresholds.
• Raising the minimum income for family visas to £38,700 in line with the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route to ensure people only bring dependants to the UK they can support financially and will apply to all British and settled sponsors under the five-year partner route.
• The government will review the graduate route to prevent abuse, protect the integrity and quality of UK higher education.