US Edition‘Freaking out’: Hongkongers fret over BN(O) visas as UK hardens migration stance
- On May 12, 2025, UK leader Keir Starmer unveiled a series of measures aimed at strengthening the country’s immigration framework, including increasing the residency requirement for settlement eligibility to ten years.
- These changes respond to record net migration of 906,000 in the year to June 2023 and political pressure from the rising Reform UK party advocating stricter immigration controls.
- The reforms include higher English language requirements for all adult dependents, restrictions on skilled worker visas, closure of the social care visa route, and fast-tracking for highly skilled workers like doctors and engineers.
- Starmer pledged that the government will regain full control over immigration, emphasizing that the right to settlement will be conditional and granted only after meeting certain requirements, with a focus on promoting integration and preventing exploitation.
- The policy sparked concern among BN Hongkongers worried about the longer qualifying period and language rules, while some employers fear the tightening will worsen labor shortages in key sectors.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Keir Starmer hardens immigrant entry rules in response to populist right boom
Keir Starmer has decided to further tighten UK immigration rules, just two weeks after Nigel Farage’s populist right wing beat Labour and Conservatives in the local elections in England, on the back of a xenophobic and nationalist discourse. But the prime minister, as on previous occasions, has wanted to present such a drastic turn, which mimics the discourse of his political rivals, such as the “correct” left-wing politics, necessary to “shape …
Starmer, under pressure from Farage, tightens UK migration rules
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new salvo of measures to toughen up Britain's migration system on Sunday, saying many immigrants would have to wait longer before getting the status they need to claim welfare. Starmer's government - which is due to publish plans for new legislation to reduce…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
