What does the new work-based immigration inquiry mean for you?

On 15 September 2026, the Home Affairs Committee launched a new inquiry into work-based immigration. The inquiry will examine the Skilled Worker visa and the government’s wider approach to migration and skills. No rules are changing yet, but the findings could shape future policy. Here is what is being examined and why it matters.

What is the new inquiry?

The Home Affairs Committee has opened an inquiry to examine the UK’s work migration strategy. It follows Your Voice on Immigration, a series of citizen assembly-style events in which nearly 100 people discussed the trade-offs involved in work-based immigration. Those discussions have produced 13 guiding principles for policy in this area.

The top principle was that training, upskilling and employment opportunities for UK residents, especially young people, should be prioritised before employers turn to migrant labour. Participants also agreed that migrant workers should be treated with dignity and respect, and helped to integrate.

The inquiry will look at whether the current approach to the Skilled Worker visa is reducing reliance on overseas recruitment and encouraging investment in the domestic workforce. It will also examine how decisions are made about which occupations qualify for work visas.

Why has the committee launched this inquiry?

The inquiry builds on the government’s May 2025 immigration white paper, which has committed to linking migration policy more closely to skills and training, and to reducing reliance on overseas recruitment.

Committee Chair Dame Karen Bradley questioned “has it become an easy option when more could be done to train UK workers” in the skills employers need. That tension between filling shortages quickly and building up the domestic workforce sits at the heart of the inquiry.

What could the inquiry change?

The Committee is asking for evidence on several practical questions, including:

• Whether resident labour market tests or other measures could better encourage domestic recruitment before employers look overseas.
• How salary thresholds for work visas should be set, and whether the current approach is working.
• How long shortage occupations should retain access to a Temporary Shortage List, and what should happen once that period ends.
• What support should be available to migrant workers who lose their jobs in the UK through no fault of their own.

This is a call for evidence, not a change in the law. Any resulting changes to the Skilled Worker visa, salary thresholds or shortage occupation rules would follow later, once the Committee has reported.

The Gherson insight

Inquiries of this kind often signal the direction of future policy well before any rule change is confirmed. Employers who sponsor overseas workers, and workers currently on or considering a Skilled Worker visa, may want to keep an eye on any further developments, particularly if their role sits in a sector likely to come under the spotlight, such as health, education or hospitality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this inquiry change the existing Skilled Worker visa rules?

No. This is a call for evidence and a policy inquiry. Any changes to the existing rules would need to go through a separate process, most likely resulting a future Statement of Changes.

What areas is the Committee focusing on?

Broadly, the link between immigration and skills investment, how labour shortages are addressed, salary thresholds, and how migration policy is coordinated across government departments.

Should employers who sponsor Skilled Workers be concerned?

Not at this stage. There is no immediate impact on existing sponsor licences or visas. It is still worth monitoring the inquiry, since its findings could influence future changes to salary thresholds or the shortage occupation list.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Inbound Immigration Team advises both employers and individuals on the Skilled Worker route and wider UK immigration strategy. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn to stay up to date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2026