Rachel Reeves has pledged a root-and-branch review of the UK’s immigration framework, including potential new visa routes for high-skilled workers in AI and life sciences, as part of a wider push to stimulate economic growth.
The chancellor revealed that a white paper will be published later this year, announcing the Government’s vision for “Britain to be open for business and open for talent”.
Speaking at a breakfast event during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Reeves said: “We are going to look again at routes for the highest skilled people, visas particularly in the areas of AI and life sciences. 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.”
While Labour has long emphasised the need to bring overall migration down, Reeves pointedly signalled a desire to reassure international firms and investors that the UK remains an attractive destination for skilled professionals. Ministers intend to engage with businesses on how best to reform current visa pathways, including empowering British diplomats overseas to promote the UK as an appealing place to live and work.
Asked whether she was as comfortable with wealth creation as Tony Blair’s government once declared, Reeves responded emphatically: “Absolutely.” She and Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, spent the summit underlining the Government’s “pro-growth” ethos, insisting key infrastructure projects such as airport expansions must not be thwarted by entrenched local opposition.
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