The UK government is planning to limit overseas hiring in the technology and engineering sectors by reassessing the reliance on skilled worker visas. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has requested a review from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to investigate why these sectors are heavily dependent on international workers.
This initiative reflects concerns about the current system’s sustainability and its ability to address ongoing skills shortages within the UK.
In a recent communication to the MAC Chair, Cooper highlighted that information technology, telecommunications, and engineering are among the top fields using work visas. She emphasized that while the government values the contributions of international workers, it is crucial to manage and control the system more effectively.
UK Government Plans to Limit Overseas Hiring in Tech and Engineering Sectors
The high level of international recruitment is seen as unsustainable and indicative of the broader issue of skills shortages in the UK.
Cooper further explained that the government’s goal is to better align immigration policies with skills needed to create a more fair and coherent labour market. She criticized the existing system as not serving the national interest and vowed to develop a more integrated approach that links immigration policies with the UK’s skills requirements.
Recent Home Office statistics indicate a notable drop in visa applications, which coincides with new restrictions on family dependents. In the first seven months of 2024, visa applications for main applicants and their dependents in key categories—such as Skilled Worker, Health and Care, and Study—fell by 35 percent, or 187,900, compared to the same period in the previous year.
The Home Office has acknowledged that while immigration offers numerous benefits to the UK, it must be managed through a fair and controlled system. A spokesperson reiterated the need for a balanced approach to immigration that ensures it meets the country’s needs without compromising the integrity of the system.
