A recent study by the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory revealed that increasing training opportunities for UK workers, as proposed by political leader Keir Starmer, might not effectively reduce net migration levels or address the ongoing skills shortage within the country. The report highlights that employers often rely on migrant workers due to multiple factors beyond available local skills, including insufficient pay and working conditions. This reliance points to deeper systemic issues within the employment landscape in the UK.

Starmer's initiative aims to reduce dependence on overseas labour by mandating that employers invest in training domestic workers before they can recruit from abroad. However, with hundreds of thousands of individuals entering the UK on student and dependant visas, these new arrivals will increase job competition, making it harder for local workers to secure positions despite any training provided. This situation complicates the potential effectiveness of Starmer's plan, as merely training more workers does not address the immediate demand for jobs that a growing population of migrants will create.

Overall, the research suggests that without substantial changes to wages and working conditions to attract local talent, the plan to train more Britons could fall short of its goals, leaving both net migration levels unchanged and skill gaps unaddressed. This indicates a need for a more integrated approach that considers various socio-economic factors influencing the labour market, as well as meaningful adjustments to improve job desirability for local workers in the UK.