When Boris Johnson assumed office as Prime Minister in 2019, he pledged to fulfil a cornerstone promise of the Vote Leave campaign—reclaiming control over Britain’s borders. The Conservative manifesto committed to introducing an Australian-style points-based immigration system, explicitly assuring voters that there would be fewer low-skilled migrants and an overall reduction in immigration numbers. Johnson’s vision was to establish a fairer, controlled system that prioritised highly skilled immigrants, reflecting a broader democratic aspiration to take charge post-Brexit. However, six years on, the reality has diverged sharply from these assurances.

Instead of curbing immigration, the UK witnessed the largest influx of migrants in its history between 2022 and 2024, with more than three million arrivals—surpassing the combined populations of Birmingham and Manchester. While some migrants did leave, the net result was a significant increase, a scale that many perceive as a betrayal of the Conservative mandate. This surge unfolded amid policies that allowed international students—around 750,000 enrolled—extended right to work visas post-graduation, contributing further to labour market pressures. The proportion of international students staying after completing their degrees skyrocketed from 18 per cent in 2019 to 56 per cent in 2023. This increase was partly driven by Tory reforms enabling students to work for up to two years post-study, extended to three years for PhD candidates, with provisions until early 2024 even allowing dependants and family members to join and subsequent visa switches without restrictions.

The financial and social consequences of these policies have sparked concern. Extending Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status—a mechanism that grants migrants permanent residency after five years—has saddled taxpayers with an estimated £234 billion lifetime cost for benefits and public services, a staggering burden calculated by the Centre for Policy Studies. This entitlement includes access to social housing, free NHS care, benefits, and state pensions in perpetuity, with children born under these conditions gaining automatic citizenship. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party recently vowed to abolish ILR, proposing instead a renewable five-year visa system excluding welfare access and rights to bring dependants, thereby seeking to trim what they describe as an unsustainable fiscal timebomb. Yet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticised such proposals as ‘racist’ and ‘immoral,’ refusing to address the scale of migration and its perceived impact.

Labour, contrary to expectations given widespread youth disillusionment with the Conservatives, appears poised to maintain or even extend current immigration-friendly policies. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has supported the idea of easing access for foreign workers, advocating for participation in the European Union’s youth mobility scheme to encourage more young Europeans—many from countries with high youth unemployment—to work in Britain. While marketed as a cultural exchange opportunity, critics argue this policy risks flooding the UK job market with hundreds of thousands of young foreign workers, exacerbating competition for British graduates and non-graduates. Research shows that many migrants transitioning from student to skilled worker visas enter sectors like care work, often low-paid roles, which may depress wages further given stagnant earnings across much of the UK over the last decade.

Higher education fees paid by international students undoubtedly provide financial benefits to universities, but the downside is challenging for young Britons entering the labour market. Employment prospects for final-year students are the weakest since the pandemic, with job offers down and an average application count soaring to 21 per student, according to High Fliers Research. Additional pressures stem from rapid technological change, such as artificial intelligence reducing demand for some graduate roles, and tax hikes impacting hiring incentives. The scenario paints a complex picture where immigration policy intersects with economic and technological trends, shaping labour market outcomes.

The Labour Party’s proposal to relax the Global Talent visa, originally intended to attract elite innovators, has also come under scrutiny. Reports highlight instances where the visa was used by individuals far removed from its intended target group, raising questions about its management and effectiveness. Despite criticisms, Labour plans to lower the application fee further, a move seen by some as a way to facilitate cheap labour imports at the expense of native workers.

In stark contrast, the United States under former President Donald Trump adopted a more protectionist approach, significantly increasing fees for the H-1B skilled worker visa to discourage reliance on foreign labour and promote domestic employment. This policy divergence underscores the contested nature of immigration strategies in developed economies striving to balance economic needs and domestic workforce priorities.

Recent reports indicate that the Labour government may tighten rules for migrants seeking permanent residency, introducing criteria such as social security contributions, a clean criminal record, and community volunteering. These forthcoming reforms appear to respond to public concerns and political pressures exemplified by the Reform UK party’s hardline stance, suggesting an evolving immigration debate within the UK.

The contrasting policies debated today highlight a fundamental tension: while the Conservatives initially campaigned to reduce immigration, they presided over record inflows; Labour now proposes expanding labour market access for foreigners. Both parties face criticism for perpetuating an economic model reliant on mass migration and low wages, with many young Britons feeling sidelined in opportunities and wage growth.

A clear message emerges from critics across the spectrum: the UK needs a serious and coherent immigration strategy that values British workers’ education and efforts, imposes effective border control, and fosters fair labour market conditions. The question remains whether future governments will heed these calls and act decisively to recalibrate migration policy in the national interest, or continue on the present course that many argue treats British citizens as mere dispensable components in a globalised labour market.

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Source: Noah Wire Services