From restrictions to the cap: trends in UK migration policy

This review considers the policy and rhetoric on immigration emerging from the coalition government, which, by emphasising an increase in immigration restrictions, continues a long-established trend Although New Labour publicly postured against high levels of immigration, there was considerable political support for the need for certain migrant workers Simultaneously, attempts were made to deter asylum applicants by restricting safe routes of entry and separating 'undeserving' asylum seekers through policies of dispersal, detention and destitution from 'deserving' refugees The arrival of increasing numbers of migrants from new European Union (EU) Accession countries since 2004 led, however, to the phasing out of low-skill immigration schemes for migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) (Home Office, 2006). From 2005 onwards, the mantra of 'managed migration' became a guiding policy concept