UK government has announced plans to limit overseas recruitment in the technology and engineering sectors. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has requested the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the heavy reliance of these industries on skilled worker visas.
In a letter sent to the MAC Chair on Wednesday, Cooper emphasized the need to understand why certain key occupations, particularly in information technology, telecommunications, and engineering, are so dependent on international talent. She acknowledged the valuable contributions of overseas workers but stressed that the current high levels of international recruitment are unsustainable and highlight persistent skills shortages within the UK.
Cooper outlined the government’s objective to align immigration policies with skills needs, aiming for a fairer and more coherent labour market approach. “The system as it exists is not operating in the national interest,” Cooper stated. “This Government will deliver a fair, coherent, and more integrated approach by linking immigration with skills policy.”
Recent Trends in Visa Applications
Recent statistics from the Home Office indicate a notable decline in visa applications. Since the introduction of new restrictions on family dependents, applications for key UK visa categories—Skilled Worker, Health and Care, and Study—have dropped by 35 percent, or 187,900, in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
A Home Office spokesperson noted, “Immigration brings many benefits to the UK, but it must be controlled and delivered through a fair system.” The data reflects the government’s push to manage immigration levels more effectively while addressing domestic skills shortages.