UK tightens immigration rules, pound at 31-year low

The UK on Tuesday unveiled plans to further its crackdown on immigration through “work and study routes” from non-EU nations, in a move expected to make it difficult for British firms to hire professionals from countries like India.

Home secretary Amber Rudd told the annual Conservative Party conference in Birmingham that she will be looking at a range of options to cut migration. “Leaving the EU is just one part of the strategy. We have to look at all sources of immigration if we mean business... We will be looking across work and study routes. This will include examining whether we should tighten the test companies have to take before recruiting from abroad,” Ms Rudd said as she announced a new consultation on tightening immigration.

New rules are expected to make it tougher for British companies wanting to bring in foreign professionals from outside the EU, including countries like India.

“The test should ensure people coming here are filling gaps in the labour market, not taking jobs British people could do. But it’s become a tick box exercise, allowing some firms to get away with not training local people,” Ms Rudd said.