Starmer’s Immigration Crackdown Targets Language Proficiency
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a new immigration policy, spotlighting English language proficiency as a key requirement for all visa routes. Announced via a white paper, the plan aims to reduce net migration by the end of the current parliament in 2029. The policy, shared by TV3 Ghana on X, has stirred discussions about its implications for global migrants, including those from non-English-speaking regions.
The rules mandate that all visa applicants, including dependents, demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency. Skilled worker visas will now require at least an upper-intermediate level, a step up from the previous intermediate threshold. This shift comes as net migration soared to 685,000 in 2023, per ONS data, largely due to non-EU arrivals following Brexit. Starmer’s Labour government seeks to prioritize British workers while addressing public concerns over immigration, amplified by political pressure from parties like Reform UK.
Starmer emphasized a “controlled, selective, and fair” system, aiming to curb what he calls a “failed” immigration framework that saw net migration nearly quadruple between 2019 and 2023. The policy also includes tougher enforcement at borders and stricter asylum rules, targeting perceived abuses of the system. Alongside language requirements, the government plans to raise skills thresholds for work visas to degree level, reversing the trend of issuing lower-skilled visas.
However, experts are skeptical about the policy’s impact. Sky News reports suggest that language requirements alone may not significantly dent net migration numbers. Studies, like those from IZA World of Labor, show that while language proficiency aids integration, factors like age at arrival and linguistic distance also play major roles. As the UK navigates this new chapter, the balance between migration control and economic growth remains a contentious issue.