Amid growing political tensions in the UK, visa policies for Indian nationals have become a focal point in the ongoing Conservative leadership race.
Former UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick and Shadow Housing Secretary Kemi Badenoch have voiced concerns over illegal immigration, calling for stricter visa restrictions on India unless they take back their nationals living illegally in the UK.
Topics Discussed
- Robert Jenrick’s stance on tougher visa restrictions for Indians
- Kemi Badenoch’s views on cultural disputes and immigration
- Asylum Seekers and Indian Nationals
- Sunak’s Impact on Skilled Worker Visas
- Growing strain on UK housing and public services
Robert Jenrick’s Call for Tougher Indian Visa Restrictions
Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has urged the UK government to impose tougher restrictions on Indian nationals until India agrees to take back its citizens living illegally in the UK. Jenrick highlighted that while 250,000 visas were granted to Indian nationals in 2023, an estimated 100,000 illegal Indian immigrants remain in the country. He criticized the slow response to the UK-India Migration and Mobility Partnership, calling for immediate action.
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Kemi Badenoch on Cultural Disputes
Kemi Badenoch emphasized the need for migrants, particularly from India, to leave cultural conflicts behind. She referred to unrest in Leicester after an India-Pakistan cricket match in 2022, stressing that such disputes have no place in the UK.
Asylum Seekers and Indian Nationals
In 2023, Indian nationals accounted for 4,800 asylum seekers in the UK, with a success rate of only 6-9%. The success rate for Indian asylum seekers is significantly lower than that of applicants from Pakistan or Iran.
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Sunak’s Impact on Skilled Worker Visas
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced reforms to reduce student and skilled worker visas. Key changes included raising the salary threshold for skilled worker visas to £38,700 and restricting care workers from bringing dependents, leading to a notable drop in visa applications.
Growing Strain on UK Housing and Public Services
Immigration continues to place significant pressure on the UK’s housing and public services, such as the NHS and education system. Despite efforts to curb immigration, net migration remains high, adding to the growing demand for housing and increasing strain on public resources.
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Conclusion
As the immigration debate intensifies, visa restrictions for Indian nationals remain a hot topic in UK politics. Both Jenrick and Badenoch’s views reflect the growing concerns over illegal immigration, cultural disputes, and the strain on public services. Stricter visa policies may become a reality if these issues continue to dominate political discourse.
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