UK's tougher immigration stance may undermine efforts to meet net zero by 2050 As the UK races toward its 2050 net zero target, a new report warns that recent immigration reforms may stall progress.The Centre for European Reform (CER) has raised concerns that stricter visa rules could limit access to essential foreign labour in green and construction
00:00UK's tougher immigration stance may undermine efforts to meet net zero by 2050.
00:08As the UK races toward its 2050 net zero target,
00:13a new report warns that recent immigration reforms may stall progress.
00:19The Centre for European Reform has raised concerns that stricter visa rules
00:24could limit access to essential foreign labour in green and construction sectors.
00:30Two pillars of the UK's climate and housing goals.
00:36The full version of this blog is available on our website, link in the description below.
00:50Topics discussed, impact of new UK visa rules on green jobs, risks to the construction industry,
01:05Labour's plan to revamp the shortage occupation list, CR's four policy alternatives,
01:11the role of migrants in net zero efforts, government's investment in domestic skills.
01:24Impact of new UK visa rules on green jobs.
01:27The CER report found that over 260,000 out of 465,000 foreign-born workers in green jobs
01:37wouldn't meet the new visa thresholds. With roles like wind turbine technicians and
01:43insulation specialists in demand, this could significantly hinder clean energy deployment.
01:49The UK aims to build 1.5 million homes by 2028, yet the sector already needs 250,000 additional workers.
02:05Given the seasonal nature of construction and its reliance on migrant labour, experts fear
02:11critical delays without policy flexibility. Labour's plan to revamp the shortage occupation list.
02:21Labour proposes a temporary shortage list to replace the salary list. While it helps fill urgent roles,
02:28CER warns of exploitation risks, a lesson learned from the social care sector,
02:34where many visa holders were trapped in poor conditions. CER's four policy alternatives.
02:43CER proposes a set of immigration reforms aimed at supporting climate goals, including the
02:50introduction of green visas for individuals in environmentally focused jobs, an expanded shortage
02:57occupation list to cover more climate-related roles, enhanced mobility rights that allow workers to
03:03switch jobs more easily and lower salary thresholds across all visa categories to attract a broader range of talent.
03:12Each has trade-offs but seeks to preserve both ethical labour practices and climate momentum.
03:21The role of migrants in net-zero efforts
03:26Historically, one-third of new green jobs, 2011 to 2019, were filled by migrants.
03:33This workforce has been vital to keeping the UK's green economy growing, even as domestic employment declined in the sector.
03:44Government's investment in domestic skills
03:48The government plans to invest 701.65 million euros to train 60,000 new construction workers and open 10 technical colleges.
03:59While promising, results will take years, making migration policy a key near-term factor.
04:08Conclusion
04:08The UK's path to net-zero and affordable housing depends on striking the right balance between immigration control and labour needs.
04:17As demand for green infrastructure grows, the government must ensure its visa policies don't shut the door on the very workers building our future.
04:27Now is the time for smart, fair immigration strategies that match ambition with reality.
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