Liz Truss is preparing to increase immigration to fill vacancies and boost economic growth in a move that will anger some of her ministers and MPs.
The Prime Minister plans to increase the number of workers allowed into the UK, government sources have confirmed.
Reports claim the government will lift the cap on seasonal farm workers and broadband engineers and make other changes to the shortage occupations list, allowing key sectors to hire more staff from overseas.
Truss is said to be keen to hire broadband engineers to complete a pledge to make full fiber broadband available to 85% of UK homes by 2025. It has also been suggested that it could ease the requirement for the English language in some sectors to allow more foreign workers to be able to obtain visas.
According to the Sunday Times, the proposals face resistance from the Brexit cabinet, including Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch.
A Tory MP said many new Tory voters in “red wall” seats will be baffled by any easing of immigration rules.
“The government will have to explain to those people who thought we were a pro-Brexit government and want to slow down immigration why we seem to be changing tack,” the MP said.
Ministers are also debating whether to allow in more skilled workers from around the world. This includes proposals for a new visa for workers who have graduated from one of the world’s top 50 or 100 universities.
Two million vacancies were announced in the UK last month, with the social care sector scrambling to fill 105,000 posts. There is also a shortfall of 40,000 nurses and 100,000 truck drivers, and the agricultural industry has called for an additional 30,000 visas for seasonal workers.
The Sunday Times said Cabinet Office minister Nadhim Zahawi had chaired a meeting last week on the proposed changes. He is understood to be in favor of updating the list of shortage occupations. Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena is believed to be backing the plan to increase the number of seasonal farm workers.
Badenoch is opposed to proposals for a “freedom of movement” deal with the Indian government as part of a trade deal it is negotiating, it has been reported.
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced on Friday that a new plan would be published in the coming weeks “to ensure the immigration system supports growth while maintaining control”.
Asked Sunday if the government was ready to relax immigration rules, he said Braverman would make an announcement soon.
“The Home Secretary would give an update on immigration policy … she will in the coming weeks,” he told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
The government pledged to introduce a new immigration system after leaving the EU, with ministers saying it would reduce overall levels.
There are almost 1.8 million non-EU nationals working in the UK, 302,000 more than a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics. Home Office figures show that the number of visas granted to all EU and non-EU workers, students and family members has risen by more than 80% in one year to more than 1.1 million, the largest number on record.
Meanwhile, more than 30,000 people seeking refuge in the UK have crossed the Channel in small boats, government figures show.