Workers renewing visas will not be subject to salary increase, home secretary suggests

Home Secretary James Cleverly has suggested people already working in the UK will not be subject to salary requirement increases when renewing visas.

LBC’s Nick Ferrari asked Cleverly if those already working in the UK would “be Ok”, to which the home secretary replied “yes, this is forward looking”.

The cabinet member said he understood people were “unsure and concerned” and added that a “clear explainer” would be forthcoming.

Government plans to hike the minimum salary requirement for a skilled worker visa have met with major backlash from the hospitality industry.

Operators have sounded a warning over the move to up the threshold from £26,200 to £38,700 next spring – an increase of almost 50%.

Cleverly had said the change would help curb net migration to the UK after it hit a record 745,000 in 2022, but hospitality businesses have warned a lack of staff could impact trading.

Around 95% of the 8,500 visas issued to skilled chefs and managers last year would fall short of the new salary threshold, UKHospitality has warned.