Former Conservative justice minister Sir David Gauke has urged the UK government to increase efforts to attract highly skilled migrants, arguing that this move would support economic growth. Speaking in conjunction with the release of a new policy paper from the Prosper UK think tank, Gauke emphasized the need to balance immigration control with the necessity of securing talent that contributes to the economy.
The report, titled *An Immigration Plan for Economic Growth*, calls for a strategic approach to immigration policy that not only ensures border security but also enhances the country’s competitiveness in attracting skilled workers. Gauke, who served under former Prime Minister Theresa May, stressed that public confidence hinges on effective management of immigration, but warned that focusing solely on control ignores the potential economic benefits brought by skilled migrants.
“Immigration has to be controlled, and public trust in the whole system depends on secure and well-managed borders,” he said. “But if the debate stops there, we miss the point. The question that matters for growth is whether Britain is competing hard enough for the migrants who create wealth. On the current evidence, the answer is no.”
Data cited in the report highlight a significant decline in skilled worker visa applications, which dropped by 40% to 33,100 in the year ending April 2026 compared to the previous year. The think tank argues that this reduction could hamper the country’s ability to fill critical skills gaps and thus limit overall economic growth.
In addition to advocating for a more competitive migrants’ recruitment strategy, the Prosper UK paper supports redirecting the immigration charges borne by employers into programs aimed at training and upskilling domestic workers. This proposal seeks to balance the need for foreign talent with investments in the local workforce, addressing concerns about job opportunities and skills development for British workers.
The report’s authors suggest that this dual approach could improve the UK’s economic prospects by combining immediate skills needs with longer-term workforce development.
As the UK continues to navigate post-Brexit immigration policies, the debate over managing border security while fostering economic competitiveness remains central. The perspectives offered by Sir David Gauke and Prosper UK contribute to the ongoing discussion about how to structure immigration regulations to support sustainable growth.