UK may sets to increase minimum-wage requirement for foreign workers

By Ibrahim Umar
Kanempress
22nd November 2023

As part of effort to curb net migration, the UK government is planning to enforce a rule, which would require foreign workers to be paid a salary exceeding £30,000 to come to Britain.

The reform plans, currently under consideration, are expected to be officially outlined this week.

Presently, reports say workers outside shortage occupations require a minimum salary of £26,200 to take up jobs in the UK.

According to the reports, the figure is below the median wage of £33,000. The proposed adjustment, yet to be finalized, underscores the government’s intent to address concerns around immigration levels, particularly in skilled worker categories.

The week’s net migration data for the year ending June 2023 is anticipated to show levels around 500,000, a figure which is significantly higher than pre-Brexit levels.

The increase, driven by many increasing factors like , the return of overseas students, emigration and a decline in the number of Ukrainian refugees and Hong Kongers, is beyond the government’s 2019 manifesto pledge to cut down overall net migration.

Highly influential
within the government, which include , the Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick
have pushed for migration reforms, being championed by those who recently, expressed concern about the perceived failure to fulfill promises of controlled migration.

He emphasized the need for fundamental reforms and urged urgent action to establish a migration system which aligns with public expectations.

While the specific details of the proposal are still being considered, ministers may likely agree to raise the salary threshold for skilled workers to approximately the median wage of £33,000.

However, uncertainties remain regarding potential restrictions on foreign care workers and migrants bringing their families to the UK.

Reports say Chancellor Rishi Sunak has resisted further constraints on foreign students, apart from the existing ban on postgraduate students, out of concern for deterring highly-skilled individuals, who could contribute to economic growth.

Experts are of the opinion that the proposed salary threshold, if implemented, could impact private businesses, with care workers being a focal point of discussion due to their current classification as a shortage occupation.

The Oxford University Migration Observatory said that the threshold is not keeping track with inflation and, if adjusted for rising wages, would now stand at about £30,000.

As the British government battles the complexities of immigration policy reform, the implications of these proposed changes become a focus of debate, especially their potential impact on various sectors and the overall trajectory of net migration in the UK.