UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken bold steps to curb migration in the country, as seen in a recent video he shared on social media platform X. In the video, Sunak can be seen stamping a sheet of paper with red ink that boldly states, “STOPPED.”
This move comes two weeks after King Charles approved legislation crucial to Sunak’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. The video showcases the Prime Minister’s efforts to reduce migration, with Sunak stating that student dependant applications are now down by 80 per cent.
Last year, the UK government announced a new immigration crackdown aimed at overseas students, including Indians, restricting their visa rights to bring dependent family members with them while enrolled at a British institution. The new rules, which came into effect on January 1, 2024, also make it harder for immigrants to bring family members to the UK, with certain sectors exempt from the salary rule.
However, these measures have faced criticism from trade unions, with Christina McAnea, general secretary of the Unison trade union, calling them a “total disaster” for the health and care sector. She expressed concerns that migrant workers, who are critical to these sectors, may now choose to go to more welcoming countries rather than be separated from their families.
The government has also announced plans to scrap a rule that allows employers in certain sectors to pay immigrant workers less than UK citizens. These changes have sparked debate and raised concerns about the impact on the healthcare and social care sectors.
As the UK continues to navigate its immigration policies, Sunak’s recent video and actions have sparked discussions and debates on the future of migration in the country.