For a few years now the Government has acknowledged the shortages suitable digital skills for tech jobs in the UK. The Government is now considering adding further roles to the shortage occupation list, a list which includes jobs which are difficult to fill in the UK and which benefit from exceptions to some of the requirements to recruit for these roles from outside the EU. Additions to the list include software development professionals and web designers – a positive step for tech businesses looking to expand their workforce.
In anticipation of the UK formally leaving the EU in December 2020, the Government has also promised to overhaul the current immigration system. The overhaul intends to simplify the existing system, reducing the skills threshold, removing the annual cap on the number of skilled workers who can enter the UK and eradicating the resident labour market test which requires employers recruiting skilled workers to advertise the job in the UK before offering it to a worker outside the EU. This will enable tech businesses, especially start-ups to hire the talent needed more quickly.
The Government has not published any further details of how the new immigration system will look, but we will update you as and when we know more. If you have any queries please contact Angharad Aspinall.
