The Prime Minister plans to increase the number of workers allowed into the UK, government sources have confirmed. Reports say the government will lift the cap on seasonal farm workers and broadband engineers and make other changes to the shortage occupations list, which will allow key sectors to hire more staff overseas. Truss is said to be looking to hire broadband engineers to complete a pledge to make full fiber broadband available to 85% of UK homes by 2025. It has also been suggested that it could ease the English language requirement in some areas to allow more foreign workers to qualify for visas. The proposals face resistance from Brexiter ministers, including Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, according to the Sunday Times. A Tory MP said many new Tory voters in “red wall” seats would be confused by any relaxation of immigration rules. “The government will have to explain to those people who thought we were a pro-Brexit government and want to restrict immigration why we seem to be changing course,” the MP said. Ministers are also debating whether to allow in more highly educated workers from around the world. This includes proposals for new visas for workers who have graduated from one of the top 50 or top 100 global universities. Two million UK job vacancies were announced last month, with the social care sector scrambling to fill 105,000 jobs. There is also a shortfall of 40,000 nurses and 100,000 HGV drivers and the farming industry has called for an extra 30,000 visas for seasonal workers. The Sunday Times reported that Cabinet Minister Nadhim Zahawi chaired a meeting last week on the proposed changes. He seems to be in favor of updating the list of deficit occupations. The environment secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, is believed to support the plan to boost the number of seasonal farm workers. Badenoch opposes proposals for a “free movement” deal with the Indian government as part of a trade deal it is negotiating, it has been reported. The chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, announced on Friday that a new plan would be published in the coming weeks “to ensure that the immigration system supports growth while maintaining control”. Asked Sunday if the administration was ready to relax immigration rules, he said Braverman would make an announcement soon. “The Home Secretary would be giving an update on immigration policy … she will be doing that in the coming weeks,” he told BBC One’s Laura Kuensberg. The government has pledged that a new immigration system will be introduced after leaving the EU, with ministers saying it will reduce overall levels. There are nearly 1.8 million third-country nationals working in Britain, 302,000 more than a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics. Home Office figures show that the number of visas granted to all workers, students and their relatives, both in the EU and outside the EU, has risen by more than 80% in a year to more than 1.1 million , the largest number on record. Meanwhile, more than 30,000 people seeking asylum in the UK have crossed the Channel in small boats, according to government figures.
