The British government, led by the Conservatives, announced significant changes to its immigration policy last Monday. Among the key changes is a significant increase of 47% in the minimum wage required to obtain a work visa. The measure aims to prevent net migration in the coming years.
The Home Secretary, James Wisely, introduced a major review in Parliament which should particularly affect workers in the health sector, who will no longer face difficulties trying to bring their family members. Also, there will be a significant increase in the minimum annual salary required for foreigners to work in other sectors in the UK.
Minimum Wage Increase: What Are the Impacts?
The changes will take effect in the spring of the Northern Hemisphere and will increase the annual minimum wage to 38,700 pounds (48,800 dollars or 240 thousand reais), which is equivalent to the average salary of full-time employees. Earlier, the minimum wage Expected 26,200 pounds, about 33 thousand dollars or 162 thousand rice.
Amid the prospect of elections next year, Rishi Sunak’s government, which has recently been losing elections to the Labor opposition, is trying to maintain a tougher immigration policy. This stance, according to Intelligence, is responsible for the “greatest reduction” in net immigration ever recorded.
Sounds smartly optimistic, but for how long?
Wisely promised a series of measures over the next few years which will mean that the number of foreign visitors to the UK will be reduced by 300,000 people compared to last year. Net immigration (the difference between foreigners entering and leaving) reached 745,000 in the previous year, higher than the initial estimate of 606,000, according to official data released at the end of November.
Despite the optimism shown by the intelligence, the new policy has generated intense debate and many questions. The opposition has criticized the move and warned of potential negative impacts, mainly on health and public services.
