New immigration
bill to take a
hard line

4 June 2015

New immigration bill set to make waves…

Cameron has started his new term in office with plans for a brand spanking new Immigration Bill which is set to make waves economically, as well as administratively, for businesses across the UK.

This new bill, mentioned in the Queen’s Speech, will change the rules and regulations around employing migrant workers in the UK.

Along with setting out plans to cut taxes and create jobs during the next Parliament, David Cameron has outlined measures to curb immigration. These will see a severe crack down on illegal immigration via housing and bank account checks, and the creation of the new ‘illegal working’ offence whereby the UK earnings of an illegal migrant can be seized by the government as ‘proceeds of crime’.

But what has really set chins wagging among the global mobility sector is the introduction of a new ‘skills levy’ on those organisations employing foreign labour. The funds created by this new levy would be used to help fund apprenticeships, of which the government has pledged to create 3 million in order to encourage a growth in UK talent.

The levy comes as part of the government’s plan to further reduce the level of economic migration to the UK from outside the EU and sits alongside the government’s recent promise to slim down the Shortage Occupations List. Cameron intends to limit the amount of time for which a profession may remain on the list, which identifies those professions for which there is a short supply of suitably skilled UK workers and therefore enables UK businesses to recruit overseas talent for these roles more easily.

Roles on the list include: engineers, biological scientists, graphic designers, physicists, geologists, software professionals, mathematics and science secondary school teachers, and many roles from within the healthcare sector.

The sectors most likely to feel the impact of such intentions will be those already experiencing a skills shortage, possibly finding themselves needing to spend valuable time and resources in order to train UK nationals.

The new Immigration Bill will take a tough line on both skilled and illegal migrants. It is hoped that this new approach will deter many from coming to the UK to live, work and/or study. Due to a crackdown on landlords renting accommodation to illegal migrants, for example, legitimate migrants will find it increasingly difficult and wearisome to find appropriate accommodation as landlords may not be willing to risk taking on a tenant from outside the European Economic Area.

For now, however, let us hope that this will not be the case and that many sponsor organisations can continue in making the UK a top destination for global talent by recruiting the skills they need.

Are you worried about how the levy could affect your organisation? Contact us at Smith Stone Walters for professional and timely immigration advice regarding the acquisition and maintenance of your sponsor licence.

Share story