UK's promised cut down in migration running short of target; changes made

But all these numbers are looking next to impossible now. According to recent analysis, they are missing the target by more than 65,000.

All fingers are pointing towards the labor government for showing leniency over the country’s immigration policies.

If the current immigration norms continue, even then the net migration will be 1,65,000 by 2015, which is well short of the target.

Changes required
The government has brought the following changes to achieve the targeted number:
1. Reduction in labor immigration
2. Reducing student immigration
3. Reducing family immigration from outside EU
4. Tighten the norms making it difficult for migrants to settle in UK

The above changes will likely reduce net migration due to work visa, student visa, and family visas by 11,000, 56,000, and 8,000, respectively.

According to Dr Scott Blinder, senior researcher at the observatory, “The government's current policies only look likely to reduce net migration by about 75,000 at best, which would mean that further reductions of more than 67,000 would be needed to meet the 'tens-of-thousands' net migration target.”

Immigration minister Damian Green is quite confident of reaching the number. He said, “This government will tackle abuse of the system and get net migration reduced back down to the tens of thousands in the lifetime of this parliament.”