UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

The truth about the Immigration Cap

Tuesday, 4 May 2010

In recent months David Cameron has made it no secret that he thinks the level of migrants in the UK is too high and should he become Prime Minister he would put an annual cap on non-EU migration. What he doesn't tell us is what this cap would be.

The cap also does not take in to consideration the levels of migrants coming from the European Union - they have the legal right to come and work in the UK without passing any pre-approved immigration checks.

Cameron also fails to highlight that the cap would only be applicable to economic migrants - those looking to come to the UK to work. Student and Family visas would be left uncapped which could potentially increase abuses in an already abused system. Applicants may be inclined to apply for Student or Family visas if they find themselves denied a visa as the quota for that particular year has been reached.

During the final Priministerial debate on BBC1, leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg challenged Cameron on the cap - in a sustained attack he said:

"Can you now tell me, am I right or wrong that 80 per cent of people who come here come from the European Union?"

Mr Clegg repeatedly pressed the question:

"Yes or No? Yes or No?"

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in 2008, there were 505,000 migrants that came to the UK to settle with 198,000 of those coming from the European Union – that's just 39 per cent of the total. Far from the 80% that Clegg claims; however this is still 39% of migrant population that Cameron would have no control over - even with a cap.

If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.