Watch again: Home secretary James Cleverly reveals new rules for Britain's legal migration system

James Cleverly unveiled changes to Britain's legal migration system on Monday 4 December, after official statistics showed that annual arrivals had hit a record high last year.

The home secretary shared a package of measures intended to bring down net migration.

He told the Commons that the minimum salary requirement for a skilled worker from overseas will be significantly hiked to around £38,000, a Whitehall official said.

The increase from £26,200 a year for visas to work in Britain featured in a wider package to be announced as Rishi Sunak comes under huge pressure.

The prime minister has vowed to “do what is necessary” to bring down net migration in the wake of an official estimate saying levels had peaked at 745,000 in 2022.

The salary figure is lower than the £40,000 in the deal Mr Sunak allegedly agreed with his since-sacked home secretary Suella Braverman to win her support for the Tory leadership.

Privately, two sources said, Ms Braverman and immigration minister Robert Jenrick had pushed for the cap to go even higher, to £45,000.

Click here for more on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/edit...

Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent

About The Independent:
Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded.

Connect with The Independent:
Check out our full video catalog:    / theindependent  
Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com
Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newslet...
Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline
Follow The Independent on Twitter:   / independent  
Follow The Independent on Instagram:   / the.independent  
Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscri...

Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations

Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB