A surge in visas and asylum grants sparks outrage
In an eye-opening revelation, the UK granted an astonishing 1.4 million visas last year, accompanied by a record-breaking 62,000 asylum approvals. This significant uptick in migration figures has ignited a firestorm of criticism from senior Tories, who are urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take immediate action to curb these numbers.
The Breakdown: Workers, Students, and Families
The majority of these visas were allocated to 616,371 workers and 605,504 students, including their families, contributing to the burgeoning migration figures. Additionally, 85,640 individuals were granted family visas to join relatives in the UK, highlighting the diverse avenues through which migrants are entering the country.
Government Under Pressure
The pressure is mounting on PM Sunak, who has previously committed to drastically reducing foreign arrivals by hundreds of thousands. Despite introducing a suite of migration control measures in December, the recent statistics have sparked demands for an overarching cap on migration to manage the influx more effectively.
Calls for an Annual Migration Cap
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman voiced her concern over the “appalling” numbers, emphasizing the strain on the UK’s housing, healthcare, and education systems. Advocating for an annual migration cap, Braverman warns of a future where Britain becomes unrecognizable if current trends persist, a sentiment echoed by many Britons.
Downing Street’s Response
In response to the uproar, Downing Street assures that its recent crackdown on migration, which includes raising salary thresholds and restricting care workers from bringing their families, will help mitigate the situation. However, with the asylum acceptance rate experiencing a decline despite the record grants, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.
The Opposition Weighs In
Labour has seized the opportunity to criticize the Conservative government’s handling of immigration and border security, with Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper accusing PM Sunak and his party of losing control of the system. Meanwhile, the government pins its hopes on the Rwanda deportation plan, aimed at removing illegal migrants, though it currently faces obstacles in the House of Lords.
A Nation at a Crossroads
As the UK grapples with these unprecedented migration figures, the debate over how to manage and integrate new arrivals while maintaining the social fabric of the country continues to rage. With calls for reform growing louder, the coming months could be crucial in shaping the future of UK migration policy.
