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Written question asked by Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 September 2025 (named day). It was answered by Mike Tapp (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 September 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration Controls

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, when she plans to publish further information on the expansion to the points-based system for immigration.

Answer

As part of our Plan for Change, this Government is taking decisive action to bring net migration down and restore control over the immigration system.

In July we began implementing the first set of reforms outlined in the Immigration White Paper – Restoring Control over the Immigration System. These reforms represent a fundamental shift in the UK’s approach to immigration, focusing on higher skills, lower numbers and tighter controls. Our approach will end the UK’s reliance on overseas recruitment and ensure the system better supports investment in the domestic workforce.

The July package of measures included:

  • raising the skills threshold for Skilled Worker visas, removing 111 eligible occupations
  • closing the social care worker visa route to overseas recruitment in response to widespread abuse and exploitation
  • only allowing time-limited access below degree level through a targeted immigration salary list and temporary shortage list, for critical roles only, with strict requirements for sectors to grow domestic skills
  • commissioning the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to conduct a review of the temporary shortage list including occupations, salaries and benefits

By the end of this year, we will also:

  • Begin uplifting language requirements across the immigration system
  • Launch a consultation on the Earned Settled model, and
  • Make statements on family migration reform.

Over the course of this Parliament, we will continue to roll out additional measures to further strengthen our immigration system. Details of these will be announced in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
74895
Session
2024-26
Related items
Restoring Control over the Immigration System
Monday, 12 May 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects
Immigration controls
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk