World Immigration News

Tighter immigration rules could hit UK net zero mission, report warns

Release Date: 2025-06-17
Media: The Guardian
Summary: A report by the Centre for European Reform (CER) warns that the UK’s new immigration rules could undermine its net zero goals by creating labour shortages, particularly in green jobs and construction. Under Labour’s proposed immigration policy—raising the skill requirement to a university degree and keeping the £38,700 salary threshold—over half of the current foreign-born workers in green jobs would not have qualified.

Green jobs, often in construction and home retrofitting, are crucial to decarbonisation efforts. The CER warns that labour shortages could raise costs, discourage adoption of green technologies, and hinder the government’s goals to both reduce emissions and build 1.5 million homes.

While Labour plans to introduce a “temporary shortage list” to allow some flexibility, the CER highlights risks of worker exploitation under restrictive visa conditions. The report suggests alternative solutions, including “green visas” or easing salary and skill thresholds across sectors.

The government maintains its reforms aim to reduce reliance on foreign labour, invest in domestic skills, and boost growth, including a £600 million plan to train 60,000 construction workers by 2029.
Tags: United Kingdom

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