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Call for Structured Migration Policy Amid Immigration Challenges
The Institute for Government (IfG) has urged ministers to establish an annual migration plan aimed at addressing the longstanding issues surrounding the UK’s work visa policies, which have been characterized as “incoherent, disconnected and unpredictable.”
According to the IfG, historical trends reveal that UK governments have often adopted “reactive, kneejerk policies” that emerge during media scrutiny of net migration statistics.
A report published on Thursday proposes that the prime minister and home secretary could launch a comprehensive migration plan. This initiative would resemble a spending review and would be made public, allowing for parliamentary debate and oversight from select committees.
This recommendation comes as the government is gearing up to unveil an immigration white paper, amidst conflicting pressures for reducing overall migration figures while accommodating requests from businesses, the National Health Service (NHS), universities, and social care sectors for expanded visa availability.
Sources indicated earlier this week that internal disputes between the Home Office and education officials concerning proposed student visa numbers have delayed the issuance of the white paper.
The Home Office’s focus has typically leaned towards migration restrictions. In contrast, other departments—including the Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department for Business and Trade—view migration as a vital economic tool for securing workforces and enhancing export capabilities.
Sachin Savur, a researcher at IfG and the report’s author, noted: “For an extended period, governments have not articulated clear objectives for migration policy or established a practical method to achieve them.”
He added that policymakers often respond impulsively to net migration data and shifting labor market circumstances. “Implementing an annual migration plan would empower ministers to proactively establish a comprehensive immigration strategy that aligns with the government’s broader priorities, supported by solid evidence and strategic interests,” Savur emphasized.
Recent statistics indicated that net migration, defined as the difference between arrivals and departures, surged to a record high of 906,000 in June 2023—a figure that has raised concerns and criticisms regarding the Conservative Party’s ability to manage border control effectively post-Brexit.
The IfG report suggests that while setting an arbitrary cap on net migration might be impractical, specific targets based on different migration routes could be more feasible under a structured annual migration plan.
The Home Office has been invited to provide comments on these findings and proposals.
Source
www.theguardian.com