The High Price of Tougher Rules: Is the UK Undermining Its Own Competitiveness?

The UK’s new White Paper on immigration is ambitious – perhaps overly so. From proposed cuts to the Skilled Worker list to tougher rules on dependants, international students, and ILR timing, the Government is signaling a dramatic pivot. But the potential trade-offs, especially for UK business competitiveness, public finances, and talent ecosystems, demand sharper, data-informed critique.

At Conroy Baker Ltd, we serve businesses navigating the complexities of global mobility, sponsorship, and compliance. We know that policy missteps have ripple effects – and this White Paper might provoke some.

Evidence that legal migration powers productivity and public finance:

Skilled migrants contributed an estimated £16,300 net per person in 2022/23, compared to £800 for the average UK-born adult. Migrant households outperformed by a £16,400 swing relative to UK-born households.

With an annual impact of £41.9 billion, international students support not just universities but entire local economies through housing, food, and services.

Migrants represent nearly 1 in 5 UK workers. Entire industries – from the NHS to engineering firms – rely on them for continuity and innovation.

Canada, Australia, and Germany are rolling out new routes to court global talent. If the UK adds friction, talent will flow elsewhere.

Each “deterrence measure” might reduce visa numbers, but it also risks cutting billions from tax receipts, university revenue, and business innovation. This is not a saving; it’s a self-inflicted economic penalty.

At Conroy Baker Ltd, we will continue to support businesses in the UK (London, Birmingham, and Manchester) navigating these complexities, ensuring compliance while also voicing the urgent need for policies that balance control with growth. Because in global mobility, the stakes are not just legal – they are economic, strategic, and deeply human.