Wafric News – May 12, 2025

London — Prime Minister Keir Starmer has outlined sweeping reforms to the United Kingdom’s immigration system, promising a tougher, more selective framework aimed at addressing what he described as a “broken” status quo.

Under the proposed changes, visa applicants and their adult dependants will face tougher English language requirements, while the route to permanent residency will be significantly lengthened. Migrants will now need to live in the UK for at least 10 years—up from the current five—before being eligible to apply for settled status.

The prime minister, speaking ahead of the much-anticipated Immigration White Paper, said the Labour government was ready to “break with the past” and build an immigration system that is “controlled, selective and fair.”

“There has to be a commitment to integration,” Starmer stated. “That starts with learning our language and contributing to our communities.”

Adult dependants, who previously faced fewer language barriers, will now be expected to demonstrate basic English skills—a move the government claims will boost integration and protect vulnerable migrants from exploitation.

Labour’s plan is expected to be formally unveiled during the next parliamentary session in 2026, as the proposed changes will require primary legislation. Government insiders told WafricNews the reforms are designed to shift the balance away from temporary labour fixes and toward a sustainable workforce trained domestically.

Starmer took aim at sectors like engineering, accusing them of relying too heavily on overseas workers while neglecting to invest in British apprenticeships. “We can’t keep outsourcing our skills gap,” he said.

Despite Labour’s assertive tone, opposition parties remain unconvinced. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp of the Conservatives dismissed the prime minister’s pledge as “a joke,” insisting Labour had no serious intention of reducing migration. The Tories are calling for a legally binding migration cap, a move they claim Labour will reject.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats labelled the current immigration system “a shambles,” with spokesperson Lisa Smart saying public confidence had been “shattered” by years of mismanagement.

The White Paper is also expected to raise the education threshold for Skilled Worker Visas to graduate level, tightening access for many applicants. Exemptions for roles deemed in temporary shortage will also be reduced. In a controversial step, Labour will also end overseas recruitment of care workers. Employers will instead be required to hire domestically or retain workers already in the UK.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the decision, telling the BBC on Sunday, “It’s time to stop relying on care workers from abroad. We need to build a sustainable system that works for everyone.”

These changes, according to Labour, could reduce migration by up to 50,000 care and lower-skilled workers annually.

Still, critics warn the stricter requirements could unintentionally divide families—particularly when partners or parents struggle to meet new language standards. But recent analysis by Oxford University’s Migration Observatory suggests language integration may already be a priority among migrants, with 90% reporting good English skills and only 1% saying they could not speak English at all.

The White Paper comes on the heels of a surge in support for Reform UK in local elections, with public concern about both legal and illegal migration reportedly a driving force behind the shift. Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice attributed the party’s success to “mounting frustration with an immigration system that serves neither the economy nor the people.”

With net migration reaching a record 906,000 in mid-2023 and remaining high at 728,000 last year, Starmer’s administration faces immense pressure to deliver concrete results. For the prime minister, the message is clear: settlement in Britain is “a privilege that must be earned—not a right.”


By WafricNews Desk.