Immigration white paper is biggest shake-up since Brexit, says IPPR

Reacting to the immigration white paper, Marley Morris, associate director at IPPR, said:

"Today represents the biggest shake-up of the immigration system since Brexit. The government has set out its own approach to migration based on the principles of control, contribution and cohesion.

“A properly joined-up immigration and skills policy is a long time coming. It is absolutely right to encourage employers using work visas to instead invest in domestic training so that skills shortages are addressed in the long run.  

“There are some welcome moves on tackling exploitation, including allowing greater flexibility for visa holders to switch employers and protecting victims of domestic abuse. The government is also right to put community cohesion as a priority, especially after the far-right riots last summer.

“But if the government wants to end visas for care workers from abroad, it will need to improve wages and conditions for carers to avoid exacerbating the current staffing crisis.

“Extending the standard route to settlement to ten years risks making it harder for people to contribute and settle into their communities. Visa holders will spend lengthy periods on an insecure status, increasing their risk of poverty and losing status altogether. This could inhibit integration while doing little to bring down numbers.”

ENDS

Marley Morris is available for interview  

CONTACT

Liam Evans, digital and media officer: 07419 365334 l.evans@ippr.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

• IPPR recently set out its position on what the immigration white paper should include: https://www.ippr.org/articles/threading-the-needle-prospects-for-the-imminent-immigration-white-paper  
• IPPR did an in-depth study into the 10-year route: https://www.ippr.org/articles/a-punishing-process  
• IPPR (the Institute for Public Policy Research) is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society. We are researchers, communicators, and policy experts creating tangible progressive change, and turning bold ideas into common sense realities. Working across the UK, IPPR, IPPR North, and IPPR Scotland are deeply connected to the people of our nations and regions, and the issues our communities face. We have helped shape national conversations and progressive policy change for more than 30 years. From making the early case for the minimum wage and tackling regional inequality, to proposing a windfall tax on energy companies, IPPR’s research and policy work has put forward practical solutions for the crises facing society. www.ippr.org