Brexit, Corporate, Immigration News, Legislation
High Skilled Workers to trump EU workers
Brexit will no doubt have a great impact on the business immigration sector.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s long-awaited report on the effect of European migration to the UK has been published last month.
According to reports, the MAC does not see ‘compelling reasons’ to give EU citizens any preferential treatment over non-EU citizens. Recommendations are made largely to loosen the Tier 2 system itself and have a more open policy like in countries such as Canada.
Below is a summary of the key recommendations for work migration post-Brexit
1. Making it easier for higher-skilled workers to migrate to the UK than lower-skilled workers.
2. No preference for EU citizens
3. Abolish the cap on the number of migrants under Tier 2 (General).
4. Tier 2 (General) to be open to all jobs at RQF3 and above.
5. Maintain existing salary thresholds for all migrants in Tier 2.
6. Retain but review the Immigration Skills Charge.
7. Consider abolition of the Resident Labour Market Test. If not abolished, extend the numbers of migrants who are exempt through lowering the salary required for exemption.
However, if all foreign migrants are bought into the same system then employers will need to become extra vigilant as risk of civil penalties faced by employers will increase significantly.
Hiring costs will increase and if medium skilled jobs are also included as more businesses will require to get on the sponsor licence register meaning increased administrative burden on organisations and a significant effect on businesses which have previously not had any engagement with the wonderful immigration system.