Make UK Comment on Government's Immigration Policy Changes
12.05.25
The Government has today outlined plans to "tighten up" rules around the UK's immigration system.
Alongside new requirements on English language proficiency for visa applicants and longer routes to securing settled status, the Government's plans also include a number of work reforms, including to the Immigration Skills Charge, salary thresholds and minimum education levels for visa applicants.
You can find out more in the Government's immigration white paper. Read Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson CBE's reaction below.
UK Manufacturing today has over 50,000 live vacancies and faces a skills crisis that has led to a 40% reduction in apprenticeships in the last decade. We have been looking for a clear plan from Government to help address this and today, the position on accessing overseas labour has been firmly underlined.
"What is now essential is that the Government recognises that manufacturers only seek overseas staff because the domestic skills training system is fundamentally flawed. The Apprenticeship Levy launched by the previous government has been disastrous, not only making it harder for companies to access training, but also leading to many training bodies exiting the market because they cannot recoup their costs.
"What we now need to see in the upcoming industrial strategy is a clear plan for technical skills and the recognition that in the face of a crisis, the response must be significant, structural and fast. Without access to skilled labour in the UK, manufacturers cannot take advantage of the opportunities presented by the recent trade agreements with India and the US and deliver the growth we all want to see and the economy needs.
