Should the UK increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers?
Between 2008 and 2010 the United Kingdom began implementing a five tiered “points-based immigration system” which separated immigrant applicants into five tiers based on their employment potential. To secure a skilled worker visa, people have to qualify for 70 points. Having a job offer from an approved employer for a skilled job and being able to speak English will give 50 points. The applicant can achieve the remaining 20 points if they are due to be paid at least £25,600 a year. They can also gain extra points for having better qualifications (10 points for a relevant…
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@9LSDX2G9mos9MO
niether, we need to review our immigration policy so immigrants are not exploited and our country can support its citizens and immigrants equally
@9LW9HFS9mos9MO
Our economy could use any high skilled workers no matter where they are from. A visa should be open to anyone who is going to give back to the economy
@8NVH2JB4yrs4Y
Increase but with protections to ensure wages are not decreased and at the same time increase funding for training citizens for high skill jobs.
@9M33DTG8mos8MO
Increase to allow highly skilled workers but more oversight on the uk companies employing to make sure they are treating immigrants fairly
@9NGQDKX7mos7MO
I am satisfied with the current amount, but I do think there needs to be more legislation to protect immigrant workers from lesser pay, poor working conditions and UK tax.
@9NLCJ2H 7mos7MO
Remove the points based system, provide education and training to existing workers and allow immigrants to arrive regardless of their skills.
@9LQ2FVF9mos9MO
I don't believe it needs to be increased or decreased, however, the government needs to provide more incentives for our own citizens to do these jobs, if this doesn't happen then we'll need to increase the amount of temporary work visas to fill these positions.
@5492YBK4yrs4Y
UK companies should have to employ indigneous first
@B2994NK23hrs23H
Depends on the market so if there is a shortage in that field and we cannot get any of our generations into that field then we need to attract those people from abroad
@B294NX42 days2D
Increase, but offer proper protection for the immigrant workers and create incentives for citizens to work those jobs
@B2855KN6 days6D
Decrease; companies are currently taking advantage of this scheme, and our citizens should be doing these jobs.
@9Z9KQ6KLiberal Democrat 3wks3W
Keep the current amount, the government should make the legal way of becoming a citizen easier as immigrants are using visas as a way to skip the process who can then be easily exploited due to them becoming illegals when the visas expire
@9Z9KQ6KLiberal Democrat 3wks3W
Decrease, the government should make the legal way of becoming a citizen easier as immigrants are using visas as a way to skip the process who can then be easily exploited due to them becoming illegals when the visas expire
@B25L8JS3wks3W
Yes increase but the uk is full, deport the parasite immigrants and replace them with the skilled ones that want to be in our society
I think it should be based on at the time if we need high skilled immigrant workers instead of just a fixed number
@9ZWGLJ71mo1MO
Increase, but ensure the pay is equal to minimum wage so companies can’t take advantage of lower costs
@9ZH2VY32mos2MO
I think they should be allowed to work REGARDLESS of weather there "high skilled" or not. If they want to work, let them. & Also protect wages.
@9XCY2FVLiberal Democrat2mos2MO
Increase, it's more important to have the best and brightest supporting our country and economy than to worry about their country of origin
@9WC9KYQ3mos3MO
Only for building infrastructure such as NHS, housing and things we are behind on. UK jobs should be prioritised where possible.
@9V3V5VT3mos3MO
It doesn't matter how many temporary work visas are given out as long as they are not being taken advantage of and paid fairly
@9TX3D324mos4MO
Monitor and increase in certain jobs where there are a lack of workers. Decrease in certain jobs where there are people capable of the jobs but can’t find work.
@9THZWYJ4mos4MO
Increase, and streamline the process to become permanent citizen with worker's visa. Provide more permanent citizenships.
@9T6KPQT4mos4MO
While our economy undoubtedly benefits from the contributions of skilled foreign workers, their presence can also impact job opportunities for native workers. For instance, unemployment rates among British-born citizens in certain regions, like the north, are significantly higher than among foreign nationals. Additionally, the availability of cheaper labor from abroad allows companies to lower wages or offer positions at lower pay, reducing job opportunities for native workers and exerting downward pressure on wages overall.
Rather than relying heavily on foreign labor, we should prioritize… Read more
@9SWRT3W4mos4MO
I don't really think that it's a matter of increasing or decreasing the number as skilled immigrants who actually blend with the existing culture actually make the country generally better
@9SBTMJP5mos5MO
Increase, but monitor these immigrant workers and make sure they're provided with social care and a decent pay rise. Our economy relies on these immigrant workers who help contribute to our economy.
@9RX3V375mos5MO
I’m satisfied with the number of visas, but we should give more opportunities to British workers, young and old. Buy British, Hire British.
@9R2ZKSB6mos6MO
Increase but also improve incentives (wage, training, stability, career path advancement, etc.) for native workers.
@9QTTF8GLiberal Democrat6mos6MO
Decrease them, which would allow citizens to get jobs which would overall limit immigration and increase employment within the country, make skilled workers out of your own citizens without exploiting people from other countries for the low wage.
Increase, but only if they are paid fairly and we should also provide more incentives for UK citizens to prepare for these jobs
@9QQTH8H6mos6MO
Visas for skilled workers are incredibly important, that being said, they should not be relied on and incentives should be provided for citizens
@9QNLL3B6mos6MO
Increase them but there should be more efforts to make sure it goes to the most skilled people, rather than selling COS to the highest bidder
@9QNCLJF6mos6MO
Just allow eu citizens with university diploma to enter the country and provide them with the eu Settlement status as it is for the current ones
@9QMRH796mos6MO
immigrant workers visas would be provided on the basis that the seekers have a prospective employer supporting the process.
@9QMDFPH6mos6MO
They shouldn’t be temporary, you should only be able to come if you are going to work like in Australia
@9QM8YX96mos6MO
This needs to be flexible, and working mechanisms for assessing relevant needs and capacity improved.
@9QLFFDV6mos6MO
A mixture of both, I think their should always be incentives to our citizens, however if high skilled immigrants are prepared to work then they should also be granted work visas
Immigration shouldn't be used by the government or companies as a means of avoiding training and developing people in this country.
@9QJHTQX6mos6MO
I’m happy with the current amount BUT the government should provide more incentives to prepare our citizens for these jobs
@9QJQC9H6mos6MO
Within reason they should be increased as long as we who already live here still have enough opportunity
Neither agree or disagree, but I think we need to review UK residents salaries before looking outside of the UK as some people on less than this and hardworking
@9QJ439X6mos6MO
We do not need more doctors from foreign countries. We need to improve things for people wanting to be doctors in this country. No one wants to be a doctor because it’s terrible pay for long hours.
@9QHWDLH6mos6MO
we should make the people in this country claiming benefits and not working earn the benefits they get , We lack a work culture in this country Hence needing to bring in high skilled work force when this country cannot supply it own , this is obvious in the NHS pay the NHS what they are worth
@9QHQXHC6mos6MO
Keep the same but they should be able to speak English well especially in jobs like doctors and social workers so people can understand.
@9QHCGKL6mos6MO
The issue isn't legal migrants taking job vacancies, it is those who are here illegally/working illegally who are circumventing our laws. The companies and individuals should be held accountable.
@9QH56TS6mos6MO
Why we are hiring skilled resources from other countries when our unemployment rate is too high is baffling. We should invest in our people and train them. It should not be aceptable to refuse a job and claim benefits if you are able to do it.
@9QGZ8426mos6MO
The country needs illegal immigrants to help run the country but it should be better managed and vetted
@9QGYZLQ6mos6MO
It should be case by case and only if the skill set is not in the UK. Further education to get the right skills in the UK in the first place. Higher immigration for people who work for less money pushes down wages for everyone else
@9QGNMSK6mos6MO
Increase, and where wages are below living wage, offer incentives or subsidies for employers to fill these gaps too many skilled workers can't come to the UK despite shortages because salaries don't match minimum threshold
@9QGNHDH6mos6MO
Pay everyone a decent wage and it won't matter where they come from. The UK should be the gold standard by which other countries emulate. We also need to buy ethically but until there is equitable pay across the global chain of production then this will always create imbalance between what we get and what we can have. It should not be a struggle for the basics. Bit by bit affordability of the basics have become more and more a luxury.
@9QG58ZT6mos6MO
Increase as it is shown our own nationals are happy to benefit from unemployment government funds rather than seek gainful employment
@9QG4X336mos6MO
Increase with fewer hoops to jump through. Give the people doing the work a fair wage that a British citizen would get.
@9QF6QB56mos6MO
Increase high skill like doctors but still provide incentives for British born citizens to work those jobs also, free university education would help motivate more young people to aspire for high skilled jobs
@9QF4CJ46mos6MO
Work out a sensible system that matches skill needs to people wanting to come without damaging the economies they come from.
@9QDVMCR6mos6MO
Increase, the current rules of skilled worker visa does not make for low wages and these workers are necessary to build the economy
@9QDRBBX6mos6MO
Only people who can financially support themselves and have a high level job offer , or who are seeking employment
@9QDPJZY6mos6MO
Increase, however hold companies criminally liable if they take advantage of this system to decrease wages.
Government should do more to ensure the British population are highly skilled instead of criticising people who have worked hard to come here and reap the benefits of those jobs
@9QD8HY66mos6MO
I think more people with relevant qualifications/experiences should be given the option to migrate to this country permanently. We live in an aging society!
@9QCW2JB6mos6MO
Yes they should increase these to allow skilled immigrants to work. It should be easier to extend to permanent work visas too
@9QB7TD66mos6MO
I would say I’m happy with the system as it is but clearly it needs to be flexible. If we need more skilled workers then we should be able to increase the number of temporary work visas as required.
@9Q9XWTY6mos6MO
Increase, but focus on higher quality of education to avoid needing to do this and lower immigration over time
increase where the individual an prove competence and the job role is in high demand without enough uk worker available
@9Q9H39N6mos6MO
Dependant on the skills they can offer, if it's medical or scientifical yes if its anything else than no
@9Q8XPZF6mos6MO
The number should follow the needs of the UK economy. Wages and conditions should be more tightly controlled
@9Q8T3RJ6mos6MO
Keep the same amount of temporary work visas but the government should provide more incentives for citizens to work
@9Q8SS3GWomen's Equality6mos6MO
I think we should allow it for doctors and nhs workers as their is so many jobs that need filling - however we need to restart the benefits system and make sure that we are making our own citezens work in the uk - if we make sure that every uk born citizen is working after education, then it would solve this issue anyway
Where required applicants should be given the visas but only after passing strict control assessment
@9Q8H64T6mos6MO
Increase, it should be easier to work in the UK, but companies should not be used to decrease wages for everyone else.
@9Q7TSKC6mos6MO
Increase, however a form of legislation needs to be implemented so they cannot pay they a penny to our pound
@9Q7M2K7Liberal Democrat6mos6MO
As above - we shouldn’t only be allowing skilled workers into the uk? We need unskilled labour as well
@9Q7BWRY6mos6MO
We should try to train up British workers first but we should allow high skilled workers to come to UK to work in those industries where there is a deficiency of British workers.
@9Q76LGC6mos6MO
Increase but ensure projected recruitment requirements correlate with educational strategy to meet future needs
@9Q6FJ656mos6MO
Depends on skill, Criminal record, fluency in the language and culture, or actually willing to learn
@9Q6BS436mos6MO
Although immirgrants may help, they have a bad look on this country and more will think it’s ok to come in and soon the uk will be too crowded
@9Q635786mos6MO
Migration is a lever to pull when beneficial to the country. More needs to be done to train our own population but migration needs to increase and decrease with demand in a carefully controlled manner.
@9Q635796mos6MO
I think they should encourage working immigrants... but remove or disencourage ones that aren't working. Anyone who is beneficial to the UK should be temp for a period and permanent afterwards
@9Q5SB3K6mos6MO
Our own citizens should have more incentive to earn these jobs. Where we recruit from overseas there should be more verification that these recruits are up to our own standards rather than recruiting people that are 'highly-skilled' at lower standards.
@9Q58J4Z6mos6MO
They should be increased but also there should be incentives for British citizens to learn the skills
@9Q52BGC6mos6MO
There is not a black and white answer to this. We shouldn't be hiring people from other countries at a lower cost, and what counts as a skilled worker is very limited. Caring work requires highly skilled people but it is poorly paid.
It is sad to see that the country is not able to train high-skilled workers and that we are need to get them from another country.
@9Q4TBTB6mos6MO
Increase because we benefit from different types of experience and education. They should be paid the same as UK cutizens
@9Q3KK8Z6mos6MO
It adapt according to the need at the time - but with a long term strategy to better meet our own needs using people born and trained in the UK
@9Q3CF476mos6MO
The current points-based system seems reasonable but I think there should also be regulations in place to ensure that companies are not exploiting the program at the expense of UK citizens, doing things like decreasing wages and hiring only foreigners to keep their costs down
@9Q3BTN26mos6MO
There should be some some support (or more effective support than exists) to help any non-English speaking people communicate well in English, especially in healthcare settings (high skill or low skill)
@9Q2CBXC6mos6MO
Yes for roles where needed but monitored, reviewed and not with automatic‘forever’. And which a plan for filling the gap
@9Q22QBD6mos6MO
Whatever the amount, there should be one salary for highly-skilled workers wherever they are from, so companies should not be able to benefit from hiring immigrant workers. They should be contributing and adding value to our workforce, not a way to save money from lower salaries.
@9PZ2RJC6mos6MO
We’d be better investing in our own people and training and educating them instead of having to ship people in.
Increase, but more emphasis on legislations on protecting immigrant workers from exploitation by UK companies.
@9PYQ78P6mos6MO
It shouldn't be an increase or decrease question, It is a matter of whether we are missing that skill base or not. If we are temporarily the visas needed should be granted in the quantity required, but long term the uk should be self sufficient and provide an education system that provides the skill base needed.
@9PXTL2Y6mos6MO
Give citizens the opportunity to prepare for highly skilled roles if there is not enough people to take the opportunity then offer temporary visas for highly skilled immigrant workers.
I want less skilled immigrants to be allowed in, the backbone of society has been built in this. However it has allowed lower wages with i hate.
Increase, but ensure that companies are not continuing to take advantage of this program to decrease wages
@9PXJZ9S6mos6MO
We should increase incentives and opportunities for UK citizens to enter jobs first. But where a foreign skilled worker is the best choice, they should get the role. And be treated fairly.
@9PWDD5L 6mos6MO
Increase but encourage our own citizens to be able to fill these rolls to naturally reduce the amount of visas granted
@9PW48K56mos6MO
We need more skilled workers especially to staff the NHS, but we should follow the example of Dubai and instead of allowing them to become permanent immigrants, these workers should be issued with work permits and have to return to their native countries when their job contracts finish unless the contract is renewed
@9PVJMG96mos6MO
Increase for longer term, but also encourage own citizen's to apply, and make businesses prove they have tried to hire someone suitable in this country first
@9PQWDD27mos7MO
The numbers granted should differ year on year depending on how successful the government has been in developing and engaging home grown talent.
@9PQPXSS7mos7MO
Increase, with a longer term commitment to provide incentives for our own citizens to take these jobs
@9PPF3DT7mos7MO
Increase, as long as the workers are employed in a role that utilises their skill-set. Many graduates are coming to the UK, doing a skilled degree and then working in care homes as they can't get a job utilising their degree/skill-set.
@9PQ4Q6J7mos7MO
Keep them the same but close the loopholes where this is being abused. And prosecute company directors who use this to exploit people.
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