Experts and immigration advocates have warned that the government’s new English language requirement could discourage skilled workers from coming to the UK, particularly in technical and middle-skilled industries.
Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said the government faces a “trade-off” between ensuring migrants speak strong English and enabling employers to fill key vacancies. “Many graduate jobs already require language skills above A-level standard,” she said, but warned that the policy could have “more impact in middle-skilled jobs involving technical and manual skills, where employers sometimes do not require high language proficiency.”
Immigration lawyer Afsana Akhtar told BBC News that the move was “unfair,” arguing that “even many people in the UK probably wouldn’t be able to pass English A-level.” She added, “This would rule out skilled workers who want to come and contribute to our economy. The GCSE standard is sufficient — people can improve their English naturally once they settle here.”
The new policy follows other immigration reforms set out in the government’s white paper. From January 2027, international graduates will only be able to stay in the UK for 18 months after completing their studies, down from the current two years. Students will also face higher financial requirements, with maintenance funds rising to £1,171 per month outside London.
Meanwhile, the immigration skills charge paid by UK employers sponsoring foreign workers will increase to £480 per person per year for small businesses and charities, and £1,320 for larger organisations — up from £364 and £1,000 respectively.
At the same time, the government plans to expand its High Potential Individual (HPI) route, doubling the number of available visas from 2,000 to 4,000, with a yearly cap of 8,000 applications. The Global Talent visa will also be broadened to include more international award winners in fields such as science, technology, and the arts.
Official figures show net migration fell to 431,000 in 2024, down almost 50% from the record 906,000 the previous year. The government argues these measures are necessary to sustain that downward trend — ensuring the immigration system rewards those with skills, ambition, and language proficiency needed to succeed in the UK.