Chancellor John Healey prior to delivering yesterday’s Budget (Image: Getty)
Rupert Lowe has accused the Government of making it easier for businesses to recruit foreign workers, after a major change to skilled worker visa salary requirements emerged in the small print of John Healey’s Budget. The Reform UK MP claimed the move had been “stashed away on page 118” of the Budget documents, arguing that ministers should be training British workers rather than lowering barriers to overseas recruitment.
Under the plans, occupation-specific minimum salary thresholds for skilled worker visas will be reduced from the median wage for a particular job to the 25th percentile from spring 2027. The change follows recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) and is intended to make visa requirements better reflect labour market conditions across different parts of the UK.
But Mr Lowe reacted furiously to the announcement, questioning why the Government was changing the rules to make it easier for employers to bring in workers from abroad.
In a post on X, he wrote: “Look at this, stashed away on page 118 of the budget…
“The Government is implementing visa salary requirement changes from spring 2027 that will reduce ‘occupation-specific minimum salary thresholds from the median to the 25th percentile of wages’.
“In short, making it FAR easier for firms to hire migrants.
“Why are they lowering barriers to overseas workers instead of training British men and women?
“British people do not want more immigration. At all.”
Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe (Image: Getty)
The change is part of a wider package of immigration measures announced by Mr Healey, which the Treasury says will help create Europe’s “most pro-business migration system” for highly skilled workers.
The Budget also sets out plans to expand the High Potential Individual visa to graduates from the world’s top 150 institutions, with a corresponding increase in the scheme’s cap.
In addition, the Government plans to extend the Graduate visa to two years for graduates from universities that meet its compliance requirements and demonstrate strong labour market outcomes.
Highly skilled sponsored workers could also be given up to six months to find a new job if their sponsorship ends, with the change due to be implemented in 2027.
The salary changes, however, do not mean every employer will automatically find it cheaper to recruit from overseas.
The Government has also pledged to increase the general salary threshold using 2026 wage data and update salary requirements annually in line with the latest official earnings figures.
The overall minimum salary requirement for a particular worker depends on the general threshold and the occupation-specific threshold, with the higher applicable requirement taking precedence.
Immigration law experts have warned that the increase in the general threshold could offset the reduction in occupation-specific requirements for some jobs. The precise impact will depend on the occupation and the final salary rules.
Nevertheless, the move represents a shift away from the higher occupation-specific salary thresholds introduced in April 2024, when requirements were raised from the 25th percentile to the median of earnings.
Those restrictions were intended to reduce migration and prevent employers from relying on relatively cheap overseas labour instead of investing in domestic skills.
The Migration Advisory Committee subsequently recommended a return to the lower percentile, arguing that the median threshold could exclude some jobs and employers, particularly in areas outside London where wages tend to be lower.
The Government’s latest plans will therefore be welcomed by businesses that have struggled to recruit overseas workers under the existing rules, but are likely to reignite the debate over whether employers should be encouraged to train British workers rather than recruit internationally.
Mr Lowe’s criticism centres on precisely that question, with the MP arguing that ministers are making it easier for firms to hire migrants when they should be prioritising the domestic workforce.
The changes are not due to take effect until spring 2027, meaning the existing salary requirements remain in place for now.
The Budget does not provide the final salary figures for individual occupations, which will depend on the implementation of the revised rules.
‘Brits Don’t Want More Immigration’ – Fury at Migrant Rule Change ‘Hidden’ in Budget
The UK government’s latest Budget has sparked a fresh immigration controversy after details of changes to skilled worker visa requirements emerged in the small print of Chancellor John Healey’s financial statement. The announcement has triggered criticism from politicians who argue that Labour is making it easier for businesses to recruit foreign workers instead of investing in British employees.
The controversy began after Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe highlighted a section of the Budget documents outlining changes to minimum salary requirements for overseas workers. He claimed that the announcement had been buried deep within the 118-page document and accused the government of attempting to introduce significant immigration changes without sufficient public attention.
Under the proposed arrangements, occupation-specific minimum salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas will be reduced from the median wage for a particular occupation to the 25th percentile. The changes are expected to take effect from spring 2027.
Lowe reacted angrily, arguing that the government should prioritise training British workers rather than making it easier for employers to recruit people from overseas. He questioned why ministers were lowering certain salary requirements at a time when immigration remained a major concern for many voters.
The changes are part of a wider government strategy to make the UK more attractive to highly skilled international workers. Ministers argue that the existing salary rules can be too restrictive, particularly for employers operating in regions where wages are lower than in London and the South East.
However, the announcement has raised questions about whether Labour’s immigration policy is moving in a different direction from the government’s previous promises to reduce migration.
One of the most important details is that the changes do not mean every employer will automatically be able to recruit foreign workers more cheaply. The government also plans to increase the general salary threshold using 2026 wage data and update salary requirements annually in line with official earnings figures. The higher applicable salary requirement will continue to determine eligibility.
Nevertheless, critics believe the adjustment could make overseas recruitment more accessible in certain occupations. They argue that employers should be encouraged to improve wages, provide apprenticeships and develop domestic skills rather than relying heavily on international recruitment.
The Budget also includes other measures designed to attract international talent. The High Potential Individual visa will be expanded to include graduates from the world’s top 150 universities, while the government plans to extend the Graduate visa to two years for eligible graduates from universities meeting specified compliance and employment criteria.
Highly skilled sponsored workers could also receive up to six months to find another job if their existing sponsorship ends. Ministers say these changes will help businesses retain valuable international talent and prevent highly qualified employees from leaving Britain unnecessarily.
Supporters of the reforms argue that Britain needs access to global expertise to remain competitive in industries such as science, engineering, technology and financial services. They believe that attracting talented professionals can encourage investment, support innovation and create additional economic opportunities.
However, opponents insist that immigration policy must also consider pressure on housing, healthcare, transport and other public services. They argue that increasing access to overseas recruitment without a corresponding investment in domestic training could create long-term difficulties.
The debate is particularly sensitive because Labour has previously promised to reduce net migration and strengthen control over the immigration system. The government therefore faces questions about how its latest pro-business visa reforms fit with those commitments.
Ultimately, the proposed changes represent a shift in how certain skilled worker salary requirements will be calculated, rather than a general reopening of Britain’s borders. Existing visa conditions and other immigration restrictions will continue to apply.
The government will need to explain clearly how the new arrangements will benefit British businesses without undermining opportunities for domestic workers. For critics such as Rupert Lowe, the central concern is whether employers will increasingly choose overseas recruitment instead of investing in British talent.
In conclusion, the Budget’s immigration announcements have reignited the debate over Britain’s approach to foreign workers. While ministers argue that attracting highly skilled international professionals is essential for economic growth, critics believe that domestic training and employment opportunities should receive greater priority. The changes are not due to take effect until spring 2027, leaving time for further scrutiny and debate. The key question will be whether the revised visa system can support businesses while maintaining public confidence in the government’s commitment to managing immigration.