Tighter immigration rules could hit UK net zero mission, report warns

The report also suggests construction jobs more generally may be difficult to fill under the new visa regime. Photograph: Mark Waugh/Alamy

Tough rules announced in the government’s immigration white paper could jeopardise the UK’s net zero mission by causing labour shortages, a report has warned.

Labour’s white paper released last month included plans to raise the minimum qualification for skilled worker visas from A-level equivalent to degree and to maintain the higher salary threshold of £38,700 introduced by the outgoing Conservative government last year.