In their first announcement, the Home Office announced changes Labour will make to immigration policy now that they are in government.
The latest announcement still lacks the detail needed to enable employers to understand exactly what changes will be made to immigration policy. It is at least consistent with pre-election pledges.
The Migration Advisory Committee
Labour has plans to reduce net migration by identifying skills shortages, and taking steps to invest in training, workforce plans and higher quality jobs for UK workers. This is to prevent international recruitment from being the so-called ‘default choice’ for employers trying to fill skills shortages.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will be monitoring key sectors that have an over-reliance on overseas workers and provide an annual report to ‘inform policy decision making’. The MAC will be working together with industry bodies to identify the areas which need more investment. The Home Secretary has already commissioned the MAC to look into the IT and Engineering sectors over the next 9 months.
The concept of upskilling the UK workforce is not new, neither will it provide a short-term solution to the labour shortages facing employers today. It also assumes that UK employers are, at best, overlooking recruitment opportunities from within the UK – a rhetoric that may not necessarily reflect current recruitment difficulties.
Employers in the IT and engineering sectors are encouraged to engage with industry bodies and the MAC about the real issues they face, so that voices on the ground can be heard and reflected in the MAC’s response to the Home Office.
UK Visas and Immigration
We’re going to see a strengthened approach to the rules around visa sponsorship, in a bid to prevent illegal working. The Home Office has warned that stronger action will be taken if employers don’t follow the rules. They risk being unable to apply for a sponsor licence, or (where they are an existing licence holder) suspension or revocation of their licenses, restricting their ability to hire overseas workers and causing business disruptions.
UK Visas and Immigration will be increasing the amount of investigation visits they conduct, with the hopes that they catch-out any employers who don’t comply and help to prevent exploitation of migrant workers in the UK.
Top takeaways for employers
Make sure your right to work checks are up to date: with increased UKVI visits, don’t get caught out by out-of-date paperwork.
Ensure your sponsor license is still valid, and that you are up to date with your reporting requirements: if your organisation or your workers’ circumstances have changed, check to see if you need to report any changes.
Talk to your industry bodies: the MAC will be liaising with industry bodies to identify investment needs – now is a great time to share your opinions with your industry reps and help to influence the changes you want to see in your sector.
How can we help?
This update covers some of the changes to the UK’s immigration policy. Employers who employ overseas workers must be aware of these changes and make sure they and their employees remain compliant, so as not to risk their sponsor licences, and to prevent any unnecessary business disruption.
For further information about right to work checks, please download our flyer here.
Should you have any questions surrounding your sponsorship licence, employee right to work checks, or Immigration more generally, feel free to get in touch with our Business Immigration team.
