In today's global economy, competition to attract the most desirable talent is fierce with many countries seeking to improve their attractiveness. The UK's Industrial Strategy, published in June 2025, acknowledges immigration as a key driver of economic growth and innovation, particularly in designated priority sectors. The strategy aims to attract international talent through a reformed immigration system, while also ensuring immigration policy aligns with the Government's approach to addressing national skills and training needs.
Key aspects of the industrial strategy related to immigration include:
Focus on priority sectors:
The strategy outlines eight priority sectors - Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services - selected for their strong potential to drive economic growth. The strategy aims to double business investment in these sectors by 2035, fuel innovation and create high-quality jobs across the UK. In support of these high-growth areas, the Government is working to improve and streamline immigration pathways to attract global talent. While this is a welcome step toward addressing skills shortages, its impact may be limited by a broader net migration reduction policy.
The 2025 UK immigration White Paper (Restoring control over the immigration system) identifies Innovator Founder, Global Talent, and High Potential Inpidual as immigration routes to be improved, but there is nothing in the proposals about catering for the freelance, project-based workforce that powers the creative industries. The solution doesn't lie in the Creative Worker visa as this will remain largely unchanged. The new Global Talent Taskforce may address this gap, but its impact is untested.
Global Talent Taskforce:
The government plans to inject a £54million Global Talent Fund to be administered by a new Global Talent Taskforce.
It's a targeted financial package to attract, relocate, and retain world-class talent. This initiative aims to address skills shortages and drive innovation across the creative industries and other priority sectors. The Government has published a roadmap through to 2035, which outlines when it expects to launch various programmes and growth packages. The real test will be the level of engagement from international talent and whether these measures translate into meaningful uptake.
Jonathan Reynolds, Business and Trade Secretary:
"Competition for elite global talent is high, and by establishing this Taskforce we are solidifying our position as the first choice for the world's brightest sparks, as well as turbocharging innovation in medicines and inventions of the future, boosting British business and putting money in working people's pockets."
Skills and training:
The strategy places a strong emphasis on tackling skills shortages not just through immigration, but by investing in homegrown talent.
It plans to align education with industry needs, which means more courses should become available for students in schools, including qualifications to grow skills in animation and audio-visual production. Outside of schooling, there is a renewed focus on upskilling and reskilling the UK workforce through lifelong learning pathways that will encourage adults to access courses in shortage areas.
The strategy points to the role of devolved Governments and skills bodies to help facilitate implementation of curriculum changes, but detail is awaited on how this will be rolled out.
The shifting approach is already evident in the Skilled Worker route, where the skill level has increased to bachelor degree level or above (RQF 6+), which limits eligibility for creatives to tech and adjacent roles. Medium-skilled roles (RQF 3-5) like artists and dancers are placed on shortage lists and remain eligible temporarily, suggesting that creatives may be better suited to alternative immigration routes such as the Creative Worker or Global Talent visa.
Integration and community cohesion:
The strategy is closely intertwined with broader proposals for
immigration reform, reflecting g
a deliberate effort to promote integration and community cohesion.
This vision will be delivered through English language requirements
to prevent the risk of social isolation, and prolonged economic
contribution to enhance the value of visa holders to the UK.
The Government plans to raise the level of English required for the Innovator Founder, Global Talent, and High Potential Inpidual routes. A phased English requirement will be introduced for any dependent family members. There are, however, currently no plans to introduce an English language requirement for the Creative Worker route.
One of the more worrying proposals in the White Paper is to introduce "earned settlement" for eligible work routes including the Innovator Founder and Global Talent routes. The standard qualifying period will be increased from five to ten years, although accelerated pathways may be available for those who make a significant economic or societal impact. This is likely to make the most sought-after creative workers consider alternatives to coming to the UK.
Openness and global collaboration:
The UK's Industrial Strategy is framed as a partnership with businesses, local governments, and educational institutions, both domestic and international, to foster innovation and attract investment. Looking ahead, it seems the government is committed to holding further consultations and policy development to deepen international partnerships, align regulations, facilitate mobility, and support innovation through global collaboration.
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