London, UK, 21 August 2025
Keir Starmer Faces Rising Immigration Concerns: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made immigration a central focus of his government’s agenda, but he faces pressure from both the public and his own party to deliver on promises to reduce net migration and “take back control” of Britain’s borders.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is confronting a major political challenge just months into his tenure as a new series of polls and recent events highlight rising public concern over immigration.
With net migration figures having reached record highs under previous governments, Starmer has pledged to tackle what he calls a “broken” system by the end of his term in 2029. However, his government is already under pressure as it grapples with issues ranging from asylum seeker accommodations to new deals aimed at returning illegal migrants.
The “Plan for Change”
Starmer’s government has introduced a new “Plan for Change” that aims to “end Britain’s failed experiment in open borders.” The new rules include a significant tightening of the immigration system. Key measures include:
* Extended Path to Settlement:
The path to settled status for migrants has been extended from five years to ten years. However, “high-contributing” individuals, such as doctors and nurses, may be able to be fast-tracked for settlement.
* English Language Requirements:
The government is also increasing English language requirements across all visa routes, including for adult dependents.
* Tougher Enforcement:
The government has pledged to be tougher on immigration enforcement and has recently signed a deal with Iraq to establish a formal process for returning Iraqi nationals who have no right to be in the UK.
Starmer has said that his new rules will prioritize British workers over cheap overseas labor and will reshape the immigration system around the needs of the economy. He has also warned that those who enter the country illegally will “face detention and return.”
Political and Public Pressure
Despite these tough measures, Starmer’s government is facing a backlash. Recent polling shows a high degree of dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of immigration, with a significant percentage of the public supporting a reduction in migrant numbers.
Local councils, some of which are controlled by Starmer’s own party, are also taking legal action to oppose the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, following a successful injunction in a recent High Court ruling. This has forced the government to defend its strategy and address concerns that it is not acting quickly enough.
Starmer’s government is determined to show progress on its immigration goals. By forging new international agreements and stepping up enforcement, it hopes to “smash the business model used by people smugglers.”
However, the public’s expectations are high, and Starmer must navigate a complex landscape of political opposition, legal challenges, and regional concerns while attempting to deliver on his promise of a more “controlled, selective, and fair” immigration system.
