Prime Minister: "The Era of Open Borders is Over" — How Britain Will Restore Control Over Immigration

In the words of the Prime Minister himself, "We will restore control to our borders." The Government’s **May 2025 White Paper on immigration is not just another document — it is, as the Prime Minister states, "an act of fairness, of responsibility, and of common sense."

The Damage Done: A System Out of Control

In his foreword, the Prime Minister described the immigration system inherited by his government as "chaotic and unsustainable." He outlined how "inward migration exploded to over a million people a year — four times the level compared with 2019."

This, the Prime Minister asserts, was "a political choice that was never put before the British people," accusing the previous government of running "a one-nation experiment in open borders."

The Prime Minister warned that "the damage this has done to our country is incalculable":

• Public services under strain.
• A distorted economy reliant on cheap overseas labour.
• Declining apprenticeship numbers in sectors like engineering, where "apprenticeships have almost halved while visas doubled."
• A broken bond of trust between the people and politicians.

"That is a wound that can only be healed by actions, not words," the Prime Minister said, setting the stage for the radical reforms outlined in the White Paper.

The Government's Clear Plan for Change

Cutting Net Migration

The Prime Minister is clear: "Net migration must come down so the system is properly managed and controlled."

• The new target is to reduce net migration from its 2024 level of 728,000 to pre-2019 levels by the end of the decade.

Returning to High-Skill, High-Contribution Migration

The Prime Minister promised that "we will still be competitive in attracting the world's best talent", but "we will wean our economy off its reliance on cheap labour from overseas."

• Skilled Worker visas will be restricted to degree-level jobs.
• The Immigration Salary List will be scrapped, ensuring "employers cannot undercut wages by exploiting overseas workers."

Ending Abuse and Restoring Fairness

"The rules must be respected and enforced," the Prime Minister declared.

• The social care visa will be closed to new workers from abroad.
• Dependants will face tougher rules.
• "We will crack down on overstaying, illegal working, and remove foreign criminals," the paper promises.

Overhauling Settlement and Citizenship

Perhaps the most profound change is the overhaul of settlement:

• "Settlement will no longer be automatic," said the Prime Minister.
• The residency period for ILR will double from 5 to 10 years, with a new "earned settlement" model based on clear contributions to the UK.
• Citizenship will also become an "earned privilege, not an entitlement."

A New Era for Asylum and Border Control

Later this year, the Prime Minister will set out further reforms to the asylum system, aiming to "end the use of asylum hotels, reduce small boat crossings, smash the smuggling gangs, and bring the asylum system back under control."

"This Government Will Act Where Others Have Failed"

In his final words, the Prime Minister committed:

"Our economy needs it. People want it. And this White Paper, alongside my Plan for Change, will deliver it."

This is, as the Prime Minister makes clear, a government that will act where others have failed — restoring order, control, and fairness to the UK’s immigration system.