A report on what the work-related immigration system should look like post-Brexit has been released
Last month the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its final report, setting out its recommendations to government on what the work-related immigration regime should look like post-Brexit and how the UK can best adapt to the likely end of free movement. The report concludes that the impact of high-skilled migration is more beneficial across the board than low-skilled migration.
http://www.mondaq.com/uk/x/753464/Constitutional+Administrative+Law/The+revised+regime
Although the report acknowledges many employers are concerned about reduced access to low-skilled labour, if freedom of movement ends, it does not recommend any designated entry scheme for lower skilled workers to the UK.
Currently, the main scheme for high-skilled workers to enter is Tier 2 (General). Applicants must have an offer of a graduate job above a certain skill level and minimum salary threshold. Entry under Tier 2 is currently capped at 20,700 high-skilled migrants per year.
Key recommendations
The MAC report suggests that, if free movement ends, the skills threshold will need to be reconsidered, and draws a series of other conclusions about how the immigration system ‘could be designed to better benefit the resident population’ of UK born workers. The report’s key recommendations to government are: focus on attracting higher-skilled workers; no preferential treatment for EEA workers (although this may be subject to negotiation with the EU); expand Tier 2 to cover ‘medium-skilled’ jobs; no reduction in Tier 2 salary thresholds (to place upward pressure on earnings and ensure that migrants make a positive contribution to public finances) and abolish the Tier 2 Immigration Cap.
The report also recommends that the Immigration Skills Charge (currently an upfront cost of £1,000 per year for medium and large sponsors) should be retained and extended to EEA citizens. However, it proposes that the Resident Labour Market Test (RMLT), which requires employers to demonstrate that they were not able to find a suitable candidate from the UK-born workforce before recruiting a migrant worker, should be scrapped.
“The impact of high-skilled migration is more beneficial across the board than low-skilled migration”
The MAC has rejected calls for minimum salary thresholds to be varied for UK regions (where average pay may be lower than London and the South East) and for the Public Sector (where it is argued that pay may not reflect the value of word done when compared to the private sector).
Importantly, the MAC’s recommendations tackle ‘broad principles more than detailed rules.’ If the Government puts some or all of these recommendations into practice, there is much more work to be done to amend and refine the details of any new immigration scheme. Both Theresa May and Sajid Jadiv confirmed, at the Conservative Party Conference, that the government would adopt MAC proposal for no preferential treatment for EEA workers.
Summary
The above suggestions could prove beneficial for employers requiring highly skilled talent and also such talent. Many aspects would need to be clearer such as whether the 20,700 will increase and other pressures on this route.
If you are a highly skilled IT professional and looking to switch jobs in UK with sponsorship or explore options to work on projects in the UK then do get in touch at consult@mavisas.co.uk.
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Mason