Visa Policies and the Quest for Skilled Migrants

On this special episode of Coffee House Shots, economics editor Kate Andrews is joined by shadow home secretary Chris Philp to discuss the Tories’ newly announced plan to tackle immigration.

On legal migration, their proposal includes plans to end worklessness in order to stop the reliance on low-paid migrant workers. And on illegal migration, the line is ‘zero tolerance’ on small boats, including a removals deterrent much like the Rwanda plan, as well as other changes to the legal framework. One of the more controversial elements of their strategy is on citizenship. The Tories want to increase the period before migrants can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five to ten years, and after that, it will take a further five years – rather than 12 months – to achieve British citizenship.

Which safe and legal pathways would people be able to use? How would the Conservatives ensure that the ‘best and the brightest’ are allowed in?

Produced by Natasha Feroze and Oscar Edmondson.