On July 4th, the upcoming election in the United Kingdom will be dominated by the debate on immigration, with both the Democrats and Conservatives advocating for stricter immigration policies.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reduce immigration levels if his Conservative Party wins the upcoming election. He aims to make this a key issue, setting his party apart from the opposition Labour Party, which currently leads by over 20 points in opinion polls. This move is intended to address public concerns and gain electoral support by highlighting a clear policy difference. Immigration has been a significant political issue in Britain for a long time. Voters often express fears that large numbers of immigrants can strain housing, education, and the National Health Service (NHS). Additionally, many worry that high immigration levels may negatively impact social cohesion. These concerns have consistently made immigration a focal point in British politics, influencing party policies and election campaigns.
In 2010, then-Prime Minister David Cameron aimed to reduce net migration to tens of thousands annually but did not achieve this target. The 2016 Brexit vote was significantly driven by a desire to control immigration. In 2023, net immigration was 685,000, down from 764,000 in 2022, with fewer arrivals from Hong Kong and Ukraine. Indian nationals were the largest immigrant group, followed by Nigerians and Chinese. Rishi Sunak’s policies to cut immigration include limiting international students’ family members and raising the salary threshold for skilled worker visas.
Experts find it challenging to assess the full impact of immigration. While increased migration puts pressure on public services, migrants contribute economically by paying taxes. Critics argue that high immigration lowers wages and disrupts societal integration, citing a 2018 report estimating a net cost of over £4 billion in 2016/17. Conversely, a 2022 report by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford indicated that the fiscal impact of migration is generally small and context-dependent. Business leaders emphasize addressing skills shortages rather than focusing solely on net migration figures.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to cap work and family visas at levels agreed by parliament if re-elected. Nigel Farage, leading the right-wing Reform Party, advocates for zero net migration. The Labour Party also aims to reduce net migration by boosting domestic skills and tackling rogue employers. Separately, the contentious issue of asylum seekers arriving by small boats remains unresolved, with Sunak’s Rwanda plan stalled and Labour promising to scrap it. Last year, over 29,000 people made the Channel crossing, and Britain spends over £3 billion annually on asylum processing and accommodation.
- Conservative Party (Rishi Sunak): Promises to cap work and family visas at levels set by parliament and has introduced measures to reduce immigration by 300,000, including restricting international students and increasing salary thresholds for skilled visas.
- Labour Party: Aims to reduce net migration by addressing skills shortages domestically and cracking down on rogue employers.
- Reform Party (Nigel Farage): Advocates for zero net migration.
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The immigration debate also intersects with the ongoing challenge of managing asylum seekers arriving via small boats.
