The immigration White Paper - a focus on Skilled workers and Care workers

Chris Dias looks at the immigration white paper

The "Restoring Control over the Immigration System" White Paper, presented by HM Government on 12th May 2025, outlines significant changes aimed at reducing net migration and restoring 'control' and 'fairness' to the immigration system.

The government states that inward migration "exploded to over a million people a year" in 2023 under the previous government, which they describe as a "one-nation experiment in open borders". They believe this has damaged the country by putting pressure on public services and housing, distorting the economy, and increasing exploitation. Cynically, they have not factored in other important societal factors such as Brexit, the Pandemic, higher taxes or the cost of living crisis as having contributed to the state of society. No mention of the working age demographic fostering the need to recruit foreign workers. So goodbye to any hopes of a grown up discussion.

The new approach seeks to link the immigration system to skills and training requirements in the UK, aiming to ensure that no industry relies solely on immigration to fill skills shortages. This makes sense on paper, but the implementation below seems reactionary and only tenuously linked to the reasoning:

Effects on Skilled Workers:

• Raising the Skills Threshold: The previous government lowered the skills threshold for the Skilled Worker visa route from Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 6 (RQF 6), typically requiring at least an undergraduate degree, down to RQF 3 (A-Level equivalent) and above in 2020. The White Paper proposes to lift the level for skilled workers back to RQF 6 and above. This change is expected to reduce the number of eligible occupations by around 180.

  
  

• Salary Thresholds: Alongside the increased skills threshold, salary thresholds for skilled workers will rise. The Immigration Salary List, which previously offered discounts from salary thresholds, will be abolished. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will be asked to review salary requirements to ensure international recruitment is not a cheaper alternative to fair pay.

  
  

• Impact on New Applicants: Applicants from overseas, or those applying to switch from other routes, will have to follow the new rules, meaning they will need to meet the RQF 6 and above skills requirement and the increased salary thresholds.

  
  

• Impact on Existing Skilled Workers: For those already utilising the Skilled Worker visa in occupations below RQF 6 (below Degree level), they will continue to be able to renew their visa, change employment, and take supplementary employment in currently eligible occupations.

  
  

• Immigration Skills Charge: The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) will be increased for the first time since its introduction in 2017, rising by 32% in line with inflation. ISC funding will be used to support skills funding for priority sectors to upskill the domestic workforce.

  
  

• English Language Requirements: Language requirements for Skilled Workers will be increased from B1 to B2 (Independent User) levels.

  
  

• Settlement: The standard qualifying period for settlement for most routes, including work visas, will be increased to ten years. Individuals may have the opportunity to reduce this period based on contributions to the UK economy and society through an expansion of the Points-Based System. The English language requirement for settlement will increase from B1 to B2. There seems no logic to this increase, except to keep migrants in the lucrative immigration fee system for a longer period.

  
  

Effects on Health and Care Worker Visas:

• Expansion and Concerns: The Health and Care Worker route was expanded in February 2022 to include the social care workforce, which generally consists of roles below RQF 6. This expansion led to a sharp increase in arrivals for below degree-level jobs. The proportion of skilled work visas issued for occupations below RQF 6 increased significantly, largely due to this route. There have been significant concerns over the abuse and exploitation of individual workers in this sector. The number of sponsor licenses revoked increased substantially in 2024. It is true that there has been some abuse, but it has been uncovered and dealt with.

  
  

• Closure to New Applicants: The government will end overseas recruitment for social care visas. This means the social care visa route will be closed to new applications from abroad. This seems to be saying that everyone will be punished for the sins of the few. The Care Industry is being sacrificed at the altar of Reform.

  
  

• Transition Period for Existing Holders: For a transition period until 2028, visa extensions and in-country switching will be permitted for those already in the country with working rights on this route. This transition period will be kept under review.

  
  

• Context of Domestic Workforce Issues: The government recognises that labour shortages in social care are often driven by poor pay, terms, and conditions, leading to low domestic recruitment and retention rates. Fair Pay Agreements are mentioned as a means to address these issues and reduce dependence on overseas workers. Raising the skills threshold for other Skilled Worker routes is seen as a safeguard against exploitation, which evidence shows is less common in higher skilled occupations.

  
  

• English Language Requirements for Dependants: A new English language requirement will be introduced for all adult dependants of workers (which would include Health and Care workers) at level A1 (Basic User). This requirement is intended to align with spousal and partner routes and aims to increase over time. Progression to A2 will be required for visa extensions, and B2 for settlement.

  
  

• Settlement: Similar to other workers, the standard qualifying period for settlement for those on the Health and Care Worker route will be increased to ten years, with potential for a shorter period based on contributions through the expanded Points-Based System. The English language requirement for settlement will increase from B1 to B2.

  
  

Overall, the White Paper signals a shift in aspiration towards higher-skilled migration, greater investment in the domestic workforce, stronger links between immigration and training, and increased scrutiny and enforcement to prevent abuse and exploitation. However, despite all of the value signalling, it is still clear that this is a heavy handed response to try and please right-wing voters, especially when one considers the proximity of this to the local council elections a few weeks ago. This feels more like a culling than a cure.