Skip to content

Sim Login

Rudd announces closer examination of UK immigration rules

The UK government plans to look into whether or not current rules requiring UK employers to test the UK labour market ahead of hiring from outside the EU need to be tightened.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced the government’s intention to look into this particular area of UK immigration legislation in her speech at yesterday’s Conservative Party Conference.

Rudd stated that the current system has ‘…become a tick-box exercise…’, with UK employers preferring to employ skilled migrants rather than choosing to employ and train an under-skilled UK resident.

The speech has understandably sparked concerns amongst many UK employers who regularly seek to employ skilled professionals from outside the EU due to the lack of appropriate talent here in the UK.

UK employers should be clear, however, that the government has announced only its intention to examine this UK immigration requirement, and that as yet there is no guarantee that anything will change.

Before being granted permission to employ a non-EEA national in the UK, the current system first requires the UK employer to prove that no suitably qualified resident worker could be found for the role in question. This is done by the conduction of a Resident Labour Market Test, the results of which are presented to the Home Office.

In the end, the Home Office has full control over this decision, and it will be interesting to see how it feels that the system could be improved.

The speech also outlined more concrete changes aimed at the control of illegal immigration to the UK.

For example, as of December this year it will be a criminal offence for any landlord to knowingly rent out property to people who have no right to be in the UK, and banks will be legally obliged to ensure that they are not providing their services to illegal migrants.

If you have any concerns regarding the recent announcement, please contact Smith Stone Walters for up to date advice and support.


Insight magazine

Insight magazine

Super professional and responsive!

RM, Private Client

A big thanks to SSW for their support and guidance, it has been a pleasure working with them on my case.

LA, Private client

The team is outstandingly helpful, incredibly professional, exceptionally efficient, and impressively proactive. Their dedication and commitment are truly commendable.

JK, Accounting Company

Top notch experience. Thank you for your incredible promptness and patience in answering all the queries.

AK, Technology Company

Exceptionally efficient and seamless delivery of services. Very friendly and helpful Consultants.

MG, Law Firm

A very pleasant and clear process with Smith Stone Walters. The team were always responsive, helpful, and positive.

WS, Software company

The whole team were the epitome of professionalism throughout the process. I would not hesitate to recommend Smith Stone Walters and have already done so.

NG, Healthcare Company
Thank
you
We’ll be in touch shortly!