Exciting news alert! The UK government is contemplating stricter visa rules for foreign IT, telecom, and engineering professionals, sparking concerns, especially among Indian professionals who are crucial to these industries. These proposed changes could shake up the workforce landscape in the UK as the government aims to lower migration levels.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to investigate the heavy reliance on international talent in these industries. Cooper pointed out that IT, telecom, and engineering are among the top 10 sectors heavily dependent on foreign professionals due to ongoing skill shortages in the UK.
The review by MAC could lead to the implementation of new policies, such as raising the minimum salary threshold for foreign workers or introducing regional hiring restrictions. Cooper has called for a thorough examination of the underlying causes of these labor shortages, encouraging the sectors to seek solutions beyond international recruitment.
The findings from MAC are expected to be released in nine months. Ganapati Bhat, an IT consultant based in Bengaluru, shared his perspective with TOI, stating, “There’s no need to change the policy just because of the noise around immigration. Many vacancies in Britain remain unfilled due to less competitive salaries compared to India or the US, when considering the cost of living.”
In a related development, the UK government has postponed the planned increase in the minimum income requirement for British nationals and permanent residents to sponsor family members. The current threshold of GBP 29,000 will remain unchanged until MAC completes its review. This delay is significant for many Indian families, as they were the second-highest sponsors of Family Visas in 2023.
Balancing family considerations with economic priorities is central to these immigration discussions, as emphasized by Cooper. As the UK contemplates these potential policy changes, the impact on its workforce and families will be closely monitored.
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