Following on from the release of the net migration figure which is far too high and is totally unsustainable at the current levels, the Home Secretary today announced measures to tackle the numbers. These include:
Stopping overseas care workers bringing dependents- last year 120,000 dependents came via this route
Increase the minimum earnings threshold to £38,700 - preventing undercutting of British workers.
Stop the salary discounts for those on the occupation shortage list - Migration Advisory Committee to review and the list of occupations.
Ensure people coming here can support their dependents financially, with increased minimum salary for family visas.
Stop overseas students from bringing dependents, unless they are on a postgraduate research degree - last year 153,000 dependents came via this route.
I welcome the measures brought forward by the Home Secretary today and I asked him if he will review the criteria and rules annually so that we have an immigration system which changes with the actual needs of the country. Today he did just that, the number is too high and these are measures to deal with it.
