IfG proposes annual Migration Plan to reform UK immigration policymaking

Article summary

The Institute for Government (IfG) has published an insight paper proposing that the UK government introduce an annual Migration Plan to address what it terms as the incoherent and reactive nature of current immigration policy. It suggests that an annual Migration Plan would allow for a more strategic approach to immigration, setting clear objectives, assessing current migration levels, and evaluating the costs and benefits of migration by route. It would include a multi-year planning horizon and proposed policy changes, coordinated across government departments. The plan would be developed through an annual process involving independent evidence and analysis, and input from the Migration Advisory Committee, Skills England and the Industrial Strategy Council, devolved ministers, local leaders, businesses, and civil society. The plan would be published and debated in Parliament, allowing for greater public and parliamentary scrutiny. The IfG draws on examples from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to illustrate how such a plan...