Ministers have repeatedly said they want to reduce overall migration, and Keir Starmer accused the Conservative government of conducting an “open borders experiment”
The UK government will publish an immigration white paper later this year including a review of visas to entice more high-skilled workers as part of its push to kickstart growth, Rachel Reeves has announced.
The chancellor told a breakfast event at the World Economic Forum in Davos: “We are going to look again at routes for the highest skilled people, visas particularly in the areas of AI and life sciences.”
She added: “Britain is open for business, we are open for talent, we’ve got some of the best universities, some of the best entrepreneurs in the world, but we also want to bring in global talent.”
Ministers have repeatedly said they want to reduce overall migration, and Keir Starmer accused the Conservative government of conducting an “open borders experiment”. But Labour is keen to show the UK remains open to high-skilled workers by reviewing visa routes.
Asked whether – like Tony Blair’s Labour government – she was relaxed about people becoming wealthy, Reeves said: “Absolutely.”
Businesses are already able to recruit staff from overseas under the Home Office’s skilled visa system. There were 50,900 applications for skilled worker visas from main applicants between April and December last year, according to the latest statistics.
Ministers intend to consult with businesses about possible changes to the regime to bring in top talent. They will also direct British diplomats overseas to highlight the benefits of coming to live in the UK for high-skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
The chancellor was appearing alongside the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, and both are meeting a string of business leaders at the week-long summit in the Swiss ski resort. The pair repeatedly drummed home the message that they will make what Reeves called “pro-growth decisions in the national interest”.
The chancellor also dropped a heavy hint that she is preparing to give the green light to a third runway at Heathrow, as reports have suggested. Reeves said she would not comment on specific decisions, but went on to stress the importance of not allowing objectors to veto infrastructure necessary for growth.
“The answer can’t always be no, and that has been the problem in Britain for a long time,” she said.
She also confirmed that the departure of Marcus Bokkerink as chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was linked to differences of opinion over the regulator’s approach to growth. It emerged on Tuesday that he had been forced to step down after an intervention by Labour ministers and would be replaced by the former Amazon UK boss Doug Gurr.
Reeves said Bokkerink had “recognised that this government has got a different strategic approach when it comes to regulation, and he recognised it was time for him to move on and make way for somebody who does share the mission and the strategic direction that this government are taking”.
She added: “Growth is our number one mission. We want our regulators to be part of that mission.”
Several regulators were called in by ministers last week and urged to spell out how they would adapt their approach to increase growth. It is understood they had concerns about the CMA’s approach to key sectors they see as central to generating growth, including tech and financial services.
The statement comes as the government last week told it will relax visa restrictions for foreign experts in artificial intelligence (AI) as part of a plan to boost the industry and stimulate economic growth.
The move is part of the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, unveiled on January 13, 2025. The plan, authored by tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford, explores how the current immigration system can better attract graduates from top AI institutions globally.
Clifford’s report mentions that graduates from prestigious institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Carnegie Mellon University in the United States, are not currently listed under the UK’s High Potential Individual visa scheme. He urged the Government to address this gap by creating new pathways and improving existing visa options.
“Graduates from some leading AI institutions are not currently included in the High Potential Individual visa eligibility list,” said Clifford in the report. “Government should take steps to develop new pathways and strengthen existing ones to support these graduates.”
Clifford also called for reducing visa costs and simplifying procedures to encourage startups and foreign talent to relocate to the UK.
