Will encourage skilled immigration and combat illicit migration, says Rishi Sunak.

On November 21, 2022, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak backed highly skilled immigration to the UK while pledging to combat unlawful immigration.

The Prime Minister also ruled out any engagement with the EU that would necessitate legal harmonisation, as was the case prior to Britain’s exit from the EU.

In his speech to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) at its annual conference in Birmingham, Mr. Sunak primarily addressed the topic of innovation. He stated that in order to make the U.K. “a true island of innovation,” it would be necessary to “attract the best and the brightest from around the world.”

He also promised to make the United Kingdom one of the most attractive visa regimes in the world for entrepreneurs and highly talented individuals.