As we predicted, the Government made its hardline splash on cutting legal migration, allowed its liberal critics their airtime whilst publicly holding the line - and slipped in some concessions just as the electorate is packing up for the Christmas holidays and thinking about other things.
So, what is new?
First, the new Minister for Legal Migration, Tom Pursglove, said in answer to a Parliamentary question that those already in the Skilled Worker route will not have to meet the new higher minimum salary threshold of £38,700 when extending or changing employment to a new sponsor, or applying for indefinite leave to remain. We expected this, but the confirmation is welcome.
Next up, the big leap in salary thresholds is also being softened for new Skilled Workers and family dependents of British citizens and settled persons.
New "clarifications" include:
- Staged increases in non-exempt categories will see a rise to £29,000 in Spring 2024, and later to £32,500 and eventually £38,700 in early 2025. We still do not have precise dates, though.
- Care workers and senior care workers already in that route can bring dependents even if they have not yet done so; existing dependents may stay and extend their permission at current thresholds.
- Education workers join care workers in receiving the partial threshold exemption.
Meanwhile, it seems that there is not enough time left in the Parliamentary process to implement the Immigration Health Surcharge increase on 16th January as planned, and that may be delayed until the end of the month or later.
This will all help to an extent with business planning; but the Government's direction of travel is clear. Early signs are that it has succeeded in discouraging migrants and sponsors from applying, whilst deflecting criticism with its latest adjustments. No doubt, that was the silent sixth point of the plan.
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