James Cleverly has arrived in Rwanda to sign a new treaty for the government's asylum plan.
It is part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's mission to make the deal to send migrants there legally watertight following the Supreme Court's ruling against the scheme.
In the wake of the judgement on 15 November, the government insisted it had been working on contingency measures and promised a treaty with Rwanda within days, along with emergency legislation in parliament.
Mr Cleverly said Rwanda "cares deeply about the rights of refugees" and he looks forward to meeting counterparts and signing the deal.
The home secretary said: "We are clear that Rwanda is a safe country, and we are working at pace to move forward with this partnership to stop the boats and save lives.
"The Supreme Court recognised that changes may be delivered in future to address the conclusions they reached - and that is what we have set out to do together, with this new, internationally recognised treaty agreement.
"Rwanda cares deeply about the rights of refugees, and I look forward to meeting with counterparts to sign this agreement and further discuss how we work together to tackle the global challenge of illegal migration."
There has been speculation Rwanda is pushing to get more money on top of the £140m already committed to the scheme.
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The Sunday Times reported Kigali will be given a £15m top-up payment to agree fresh terms on its agreement with the UK.
Mr Sunak met Rwanda's President Paul Kagame on the sidelines of the COP28 climate talks in Dubai on Friday but declined afterwards to say how much more money he would spend to make the scheme a success.
Downing Street insisted there had been no demand for extra money from Rwanda, with the prime minister's official spokesman saying: "Certainly I don't recognise that figure of £15m, there's been no request for additional funding for the treaty made by Rwanda, or not offered by the UK government."
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4:49
Cleverly announces immigration plan
There had also been reports that British lawyers could be stationed in Rwandan courts in a bid to address concerns by the Supreme Court, which found in its ruling there would be at "real risk" of people being returned home regardless of whether their asylum claims were justified or not, in a breach of international law.
But Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the idea was "completely off the table".
"We have non-removal clauses providing that no relocated individual shall be removed from Rwanda," she said.
It comes after Mr Cleverly laid out his five-point plan to cut immigration, which included banning care workers from bringing their families over to the UK and raising the minimum salary required for a skilled worker visa to £38,700 from next spring.
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Put to him that even with the new measures announced yesterday, the government would still fall short of its target of 229,000, Mr Jenrick said reducing net migration "matters a great deal to me and to the government - and so if we need to do more, we will".
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2:07
New migration measures will have 'profound impact'
Mr Jenrick, who has taken a hardline stance on migration issues, also told Sky News he was confident that flights to Rwanda would take off before the next election, which stands in contrast to colleagues - including the chancellor, who said there was "no guarantee" deportation flights to Rwanda will take off next year.
The latest ConservativeHome survey revealed Mr Sunak’s support among Tory grassroots plunged to -25 per cent, making him the least popular member of the cabinet.
Mr Cleverly also raised the threshold for people living here wanting to sponsor a family member to move to the UK – the person living in the UK must now earn £38,700, up from £18,600 currently.
He also banned overseas social care staff from bringing dependants to the UK and the rule allowing the most-needed professions to be hired at 20 per cent below the going rate would also be scrapped.
But business leaders warned of major staffing crises in hospitality and social care ahead. Labour accused the Tories of “chaotic panic”, while union leaders claimed the PM was “playing roulette with essential services” to placate the right.
The fresh row came as Mr Cleverly announced:
A five-point plan to cut legal migration and a new target of 300,000 fewer migrants a year
Foreign care workers will no longer be able to bring their dependants to the UK
The minimum income for family visas was raised to the new salary threshold of £38,700
The shortage occupation list will be overhauled to end a 20 per cent salary discount
The graduate visa route – letting students stay for two years after their studies – is under review
Mr Cleverly declared “enough is enough” as he promised his plans would deliver “the biggest ever reduction in net migration” after levels soared to a record high of 745,000 in 2022 and sparked Tory outrage. He said the strategy would bring down annual levels by 300,000 in future years.
Mr Cleverly said the Tories would get rid of “cut-price” labour by stopping shortage occupations being able to pay 20 per cent less than the going rate, and restricting the number of jobs which are on the list.
Suella Braverman has led pressure on Rishi Sunak to cut migration numbers
Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman said the measures were “too late and the government can go further”. She called on Mr Sunk to cut the graduate visa route from two years, and bring in an overall “Australia-style” cap on annual net migration.
Mr Sunak and Mr Cleverly did not limit the total number of NHS and social care visas – a move immigration minister Robert Jenrick is believed to have been pushing for. Two sources said Ms Braverman and Mr Jenrick had also pushed for the salary threshold to go even higher – to £45,000.
Senior Tory John Hayes, Ms Braverman’s closest ally, told The Independent that “nothing matters more” than the immigration crackdown – both legal and illegal – if the party has any chance of winning next year’s general election.
Mr Hayes, leader of the Common Sense Group, said the new moves were “long overdue but incredibly welcome”, although he warned that Mr Sunak he would have to go further.
Mr Hayes is demanding that the Tory leader opt out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in its emergency Rwanda legislation. “We need severe measures. We need to be really tough,” he said.
Leading right-winger Simon Clarke, a former cabinet minister, claimed Tory voters had expressed a “desperation for bold action to deliver a fix”. The ex-minister said voters “will return if we deliver on illegal immigration”.
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg challenged Mr Cleverly in the Commons to consider Ms Braverman’s idea of an “Australia-style” overall cap on net migration numbers. But the new home secretary said a cap would be “difficult” to manage.
Record-high migration has reopened the huge divides in the Tory party. Mr Jenrick said last week that he wanted to bring in his own plan “before last Christmas”, and suggested he was keen to consider an overall cap on net migration.
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has pushed for a five-point plan to cut net migration
However, senior Tory Damian Green warned Mr Sunak and Mr Cleverly about the “huge shortage in the care sector”, warning that the ban on dependants could cause major problems.
The One Nation group leader said: “I would hope that this isn’t a significant contributor to the reduction in numbers, because if it is, it will cause damage to the care sector.” But Mr Cleverly denied that it would lead to a staff shortage.
Tory health committee chair Steve Brine has also warned against clamping down on care workers, arguing that they are “the people who look after your ailing parents and grandparents”.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea accused Mr Sunak of “playing roulette with essential services just to placate its backbenchers and the far right”. She warned that some foreign workers already here will now leave.
“What do you think’s going to happen?” she told the BBC World at One programme. “To those who are already here, who do have dependents when they come to renew their visa, presumably they will be told you have to send your children back again.”
Prof Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said immigration was “saving the social care sector” from collapse – arguing that 70,000 overseas workers were needed in the past year to fill gaps.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said Mr Sunak “appears comfortable with tearing apart families to score political points”. And Miriam Deakin, director of policy at NHS Providers, said measures that deter foreign recruits were “deeply concerning”.
Rishi Sunak has vowed to crack down on both legal and illegal migration
UKHospitality chief Kate Nicholls warned of a major staffing crisis in pubs, bars and restaurants – arguing the changes “will further shrink the talent pool” and “worsen the shortages hospitality businesses are facing”.
The industry leader warned that 95 per cent of the 8,500 hospitality visas issued last year would no longer be eligible under these plans.
Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory, said the move to raise the family visa income threshold to £38,700 would restrict some people “very significantly”.
She said the largest impact “will fall on lower-income citizens, and particularly women and younger people”. Reunite Familes UK, which helps migrants bring loved ones to Britain, said they were “beyond devastated” at the change.
It comes as a new JL Partners survey found that just 59 per cent of people who voted for the Tories in 2019 plan to vote Conservative at the next general election, down from 63 per cent following Ms Truss’s disastrous mini-Budget. It also revealed that one in six 2019 Tory voters have switched to Reform UK.
Separately, a BMG Research survey shows that Reform UK is now third on 11 per cent – its best performance in any poll by the firm. Pollster James Johnson said there was “only one option for the Conservatives now: go big on immigration or go home”.
Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Mr Sunak’s “chaotic panic” plan was “an admission of years of total failure by this Conservative government”.
Alistair Carmichael, the Lib Democrats’ home affairs spokesperson, said polling showed that confidence in Mr Sunak’s approach to immigration was “at an all-time low – yet they seem determined to keep pushing their damaging, divisive policies”.
The major overhaul comes as Mr Cleverly is in Rwanda to sign an updated agreement. But senior civil servants at the Home Office are said to have warned No 10 that its Rwanda legislation is destined to fail.
James Cleverly is set to visit Rwanda this week to sign an updated treaty
Government lawyers are reportedly refusing to sanction the most draconian version of the legislation that would opt out of the ECHR by using a “notwithstanding” clause to direct UK judges to ignore it.
Leading Tory moderate Sir Robert Buckland warned that opting out of the ECHR would be “foolish and rash” and would endanger the Good Friday Agreement. The new chair of the Northern Ireland affairs committee told the BBC it would be “a very un-Conservative step”.
But senior Tory Mark Francois warned Mr Sunak that it could be “three strikes and you’re out” – urging the PM to to ignore the ECHR in the emergency Rwanda legislation.
The chair of the European Research Group (ERG) told GB News: “Rishi promised to stop the boats but ... he hasn’t has he? … We’ve had two goes before. Now it’s three strikes and you’re out”.
More than 50 flood warnings are in place across England as snow gave way to heavy rain.
Fifty-eight warnings, meaning flooding is expected, are in force, mainly across Dorset, Somerset and the Midlands.
The flooding has affected rail services already hit by industrial action by train drivers.
A total of 175 flood alerts, where flooding is considered possible, have also been issued.
CrossCountry Trains said heavy flooding was blocking lines between Edinburgh Waverley and Newcastle, with the strike action adding to disruption.
Members of the train drivers' union, Aslef, at C2C and Greater Anglia have walked out as part of a series of rolling strikes affecting different companies on different days until 8 December. There is also an overtime ban lasting until 9 December.
Rail users in the South West were also warned flooding would affect services.
Great Western Railway said flooding had caused significant disruption on Monday and advised people not to travel between Bristol and Exeter or any trip between London Paddington and Devon or Cornwall.
Lines between Bristol Parkway and Swindon, and Westbury and Taunton are blocked by flooding, and trains are running on a diversionary route.
The company said: "We are expecting disruption between London Paddington and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall into Tuesday morning as floods subside."
Passengers on long-distance services were advised to avoid travelling by train if possible.
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Flood warnings are in place along many rivers, including the Frome in Somerset, Avon and Axe, River Brit in West Dorset, and River Blythe in Warwickshire.
The Met Office said rain would ease across England and Wales throughout Tuesday, but another cold day would see wintry showers in the North and North West.
Cloud will remain overnight in the South and South East with frost and some freezing fog forming by dawn.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said the risk of snow was lessening and would "more or less be confined to Scottish mountains" by the end of the week.
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Here is a list of all the schools which were forced to close yesterday, according to Somerset Council:
Ash CofE Primary School
The school has said there is a "partial closure in the afternoon due to flooding on all local routes."
Baltonsborough CE VC Primary School
A school spokesman says there are three routes in and out of Baltonsborough and two are already impassable. They add: "One is just about okay but run off from the fields could potentially mean this one becomes impassable before the end of the day."
Butleigh CofE Primary School
The school will be closed from 12pm today due to the flooding in and around Butleigh.
Charlton Mackrell CofE Primary School
The school has confirmed it has closed due to flooding. Parents and guardians will be updated when the school will be reopened.
Churchstanton Primary School
A spokesperson for the school said: "We have become aware that the roads in the immediate vicinity of the school are flooding and are becoming dangerous to pass. We are also aware that several low-lying local villages are becoming difficult to navigate (Hemyock & Corfe). We have therefore made the decision to close the school with immediate effect. Please make your way to the school to collect your children. We will assess the situation overnight and let you know by 8am tomorrow if the school is to remain closed tomorrow morning."
Curry Mallet CofE Primary School
Due to localised flooding, they will be closing the school from midday today.
Curry Rivel CofE VC Primary School
The school said: "We have assessed the local road conditions, and there are reports of many roads being inaccessible out of Curry Rivel, but also to Isle Abbots, Hambridge, North Curry, Martock and Thornfalcon. Indeed some staff have left and are stranded. We have liaised with the Local Authority, the Chair of Governors, and other local schools who are closing. Therefore, we have taken the decision to close our school and nursery today."
Fiveaways Special School
Somerset Council has confirmed the school is partially closed due to bad weather.
Hambridge Community Primary School
Somerset Council has confirmed the school is fully closed due to bad weather.
Herne View CofE Primary School
The school said: "We have made the decision to close the school today at 1:30pm due to the increased flood risks. Children can be collected from 12:30pm onwards."
High Ham CofE Primary School
A school statement reads: "Due to condition of roads and closure of main road to the school, continued forecast for rain the flooded roads mean that we have closed to allow staff and children to get home safely."
Hinton St George CofE Primary School
Parents have been asked to collect their children by 1pm due to the localised flooding and many staff members living a long distance from the school.
Keinton Mandeville Primary School
The school has said: "School closed from 1pm due to flooding in local area."
Kingston St Mary CofE Primary School
"Due to flooding of the main route into school and surrounding areas, parents have been asked to collect children from school as soon as possible," the school said.
Long Sutton CofE Primary School
A spokesperson for the school said: "We have assessed the local road conditions, there are reports of many roads being inaccessible and the weather does not look as though it is going to improve throughout the day. We have liaised with the Chair of Governors, and other local schools who are closing and we have taken the decision to close our school and nursery today."
Martock CofE Primary School
The school has been closed today due to bad weather. Parents and guardians will be updated when the school will be reopened.
Meare Village Primary School
The school has said: "Flooding on surrounded roads and failed heating."
North Newton Community Primary School
"Having to close early from 2.15 due to localised flooding. Parents advised to pick up as soon as possible," the school said.
Shepton Beauchamp Church School
The school posted: "Our school is closing at 1pm due to worsening road conditions. Our teachers are sending work home."
South Somerset Partnership School
A spokesperson said: "As soon as all children are safely collected, the school will be closed and the weather closely monitored for tomorrow."
St Mary and St Peters Church School
A spokesperson for the school said: "Our school has to close at 1pm today due to worsening weather conditions on local roads. Our teachers are sending work home."
Stoberry Park School
The school said: "The school will be closing at 2:30pm - we ask all parents who are not able to collect their children by this time to contact the school office. This decision has been taken to allow staff, who travel long distances, to attempt to get home and in recognition of significant flooding on site. There will be no SPARKS or after school club provision today - 4th December. We will confirm whether we will be open tomorrow as soon as possible."
Tatworth Primary School
A school spokesman has said: "School will close at 1pm today due to bad weather and no hot meal provision."
West Pennard CofE Primary School
The school said: "Flooding due to volume of constant rain. Three classrooms not accessible and main hall flooded"
PM Sunak says Britain taking 'radical' action on migration
Government aims for 300,000 fewer migrants than last year
Higher minimum salary for skilled workers announced
Unions raise concern over crackdown on dependents
LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Britain announced plans to slash the number of migrants arriving by legal routes on Monday, raising the minimum salary they must earn in a skilled job by a third, amid pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to tackle record net migration figures.
High levels of legal migration have dominated Britain's political landscape for more than a decade and were a key factor in the 2016 vote to leave the European Union. Sunak has promised to gain more control after lawmakers in his Conservative Party criticised his record ahead of an election expected next year, with the opposition Labour Party far ahead in opinion polls.
But businesses and trade unions both attacked the measures as counterproductive and challenging for the private sector and state-run health service, both dogged by labour shortages.
Figures last month showed annual net migration to the United Kingdom hit a record of 745,000 in 2022 and has stayed at high levels since, with many migrants now coming from places like India, Nigeria and China instead of the EU.
Home Secretary (interior minister) James Cleverly said the new measures could reduce that number by 300,000.
"Immigration is too high. Today we’re taking radical action to bring it down," said Sunak, who is also trying to deport migrants who arrive illegally to Rwanda.
Cleverly said the government would raise the minimum salary threshold for foreign skilled workers to 38,700 pounds ($48,900), from its current level of 26,200 pounds, though health and social workers would be exempt.
Other measures included stopping foreign health workers bringing in family members on their visas, increasing a surcharge migrants have to pay to use the health service by 66%, and raising the minimum income for family visas.
TIGHT LABOUR MARKET
The measures could spark new disputes with business owners who have struggled to hire workers in recent years given Britain's persistently tight labour market and the end of free movement from the EU since Britain's 2020 exit from the bloc.
In October, the government's independent migration adviser recommended abolishing the so-called shortage occupations list, one of the main routes for businesses to hire migrant workers in sectors where there are severe staff shortages.
Cleverly said the government would end the current system that lets employers pay migrants only 80% of the going rate to do jobs where there is a worker shortage, and that the list of shortage occupations would be reviewed.
"We will stop immigration undercutting the salary of British workers," Cleverly told lawmakers. "We will create a new immigration salary list with a reduced number of occupations."
However, some studies have shown foreign workers have little or no impact on overall wage or employment levels, and Britain's acute shortage of candidates to fill vacancies remains a problem for many company bosses.
"These changes will further shrink the talent pool that the entire economy will be recruiting from, and only worsen the shortages hospitality businesses are facing," said Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality.
"We urgently need to see an immigration system that is fit-for-purpose and reflects both the needs of business and the labour market. The system at the moment does none of that."
The Bank of England said last month that businesses were finding it a bit easier to hire but persistent skills shortages remained in some sectors.
Trade unions also voiced concerns at Cleverly's plan. Christina McAnea, the general secretary of UNISON, the main union in the health sector, saying it spelled "total disaster" for the health service.
"Migrants will now head to more welcoming countries, rather than be forced to live without their families," she said.
($1 = 0.7921 pounds)
Additional reporting by William Schomberg; writing by Alistair Smout; editing by Andrew MacAskill, Sarah Young, Kate Holton and Mark Heinrich
Rishi Sunak’s popularity has hit an all-time low among the Conservative Party grassroots, new figures suggest.
In this month’s ranking of Cabinet ministers by ConservativeHome, the Tory news and opinion website, Mr Sunak’s net approval rating has plummeted from 7.1 to minus 25.4, his lowest ever score.
The Prime Minister is less popular than the entirety of his Cabinet in the wake of multiple attempted resets at his party conference, the King’s Speech and the Autumn Statement which appear to have failed to shift the dial, as well as last month’s blow to his flagship Rwanda policy.
James Cleverly tumbled from top of the table on 72 points to eleventh from bottom on 10.6 after just weeks in his new role as Home Secretary.
Mr Cleverly faced a backlash after claiming the Rwanda scheme is “not the be all and end all” after it was blocked by the Supreme Court. The Government is soon expected to unveil emergency legislation which is aimed at ensuring deportation flights can go ahead, while a new treaty with Rwanda will be signed as early as this week.
Elsewhere in the table, Lord Cameron, who has returned to frontline politics as Foreign Secretary, has a net score of minus 4.9, while Esther McVey, who has been dubbed the “minister for common sense” and will oversee an ‘anti-woke’ push in her Cabinet Office position, debuts in joint fourth place at 31.2.
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National Highways said it was assisting with traffic management and warned drivers to expect delays in the area.
It first posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the closure was in place eastbound, before follow-up messages confirmed the closure in both directions.
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