Labour is aiming to shift the 25-year trend of increasing legal migration in the UK, which has been a significant social and demographic transformation in the 21st Century, and a pronounced political shortcoming as well. Despite personal viewpoints on immigration, the patterns over the past few decades deserve scrutiny. Over the last 30 years, the influx of people into the UK has surpassed the number of individuals leaving every year. Unlike the period before the mid-1990s, when net migration was relatively balanced, starting in 1994, there was a noticeable increase, particularly during Labour’s governance in the early 2000s.
During the tenure of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition starting in 2010, immigration levels remained high. Notably, this issue became a major talking point during the EU referendum in 2016. Following Brexit, the UK government was no longer able to attribute immigration challenges to other nations, as freedom of movement with EU member states ceased. This shift granted Westminster more control over immigration policy. In 2021, a new immigration strategy was introduced, including modifications to work visa criteria in a purported points-based system, yet the net migration figures continued to rise despite expectations of a decline post-Brexit.
With the prevailing context of escalating migration numbers, the government is now focusing on curbing illegal immigration while prioritizing legal immigration reforms. By amending the immigration system to favor highly skilled and high-earning immigrants for expedited permanent residency, the government aims to address concerns about sustainability and positively impact the economy. The proposed White Paper, developed over several months, outlines plans to reduce the number of lower-skilled workers entering the UK immediately and hints at further immigration legislation in the future. The overarching goal is to reverse the upward migration trend by the next general election, anticipated in 2028 or 2029, thereby defining the success of the current administration and related political entities
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