Press Story

The Home Secretary is today expected to announce a cap of 43,000 on the number of visas issued to skilled migrants from outside the EU (a reduction of 13 per cent). This is at the top of the range suggested by the Migration Advisory Committee, and will exclude many intra-company transfers, which suggests that the government has listened to the concerns of employers.

But ippr analysis suggests that a 13 per cent reduction in the number of visas issued to skilled workers will only reduce total immigration by 2-3 per cent, while the government aims to cut total net immigration by at least 50 per cent. The government has already indicated that it plans to restrict student and family migration, but it will also need to further cut skilled migration if it is to meet its overall immigration target.

Sarah Mulley, Associate Director at ippr, said:

'Last week's Migration Advisory Committee's report showed how difficult it will be for the government to meet its political commitment to halve net immigration. The government will have to go much further than the cap announced today if it is to meet its overall target, and perhaps cut skilled immigration by up to 80 per cent by 2015. The government now faces an unpalatable choice between introducing a policy which it knows will be damaging to the economy and public services, or failing to fulfil a promise to the electorate.'

Contacts

Richard Darlington: 07525 481 602, r.darlington@ippr.org

Sarah Mulley: 07747 035 932, s.mulley@ippr.org