The government’s immigration white paper, published in May, sets out a series of key reforms of the UK’s work-based migration system, aimed at reducing employers’ dependence on overseas workers. This is a potential minefield for the construction industry, which has become increasingly reliant on the visa system to fill vacancies. With its emphasis on tougher visa rules and costs, and an extended route to settlement, the white paper has the potential to destabilise a sector already straining under chronic labour shortages.  

For an industry that has historically leaned on international workers – first from the EU, and more recently from non-EU countries via the skilled worker visa route – the timing of these restrictions is not ideal. Construction projects are on the rise again at a time when the workforce is thinning. 

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