The United Kingdom Government has introduced sweeping restrictions on overseas recruitment, blacklisting over 100 occupations from being filled by foreign workers in a bid to reduce net migration. In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the Home Office said the new policy aims to prioritise opportunities for British workers while reforming the visa system. “Cutting net migration means getting the fundamentals right. “More than 100 occupations are no longer eligible for overseas recruitment – opening up more jobs for British workers. A fairer, skills-focused system is now taking shape,” the Home Office wrote. This move represents the latest policy step by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who assumed office on July 5, 2024, after Labour’s landslide victory over Rishi Sunak. However, critics caution that the restrictions may deepen labour shortages in key sectors, including health and social care. The barred occupations cut across hospitality, logistics, healthcare support, public services, and the creative industries — affecting thousands of foreign workers who had previously depended on these roles for lawful employment in the UK.