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Immigration cap to affect Hampshire employers
June‘s allocation of restricted Tier 2 visas, which allows entry of skilled migrant workers into the UK, could potentially affect Hampshire businesses that rely on this workforce. This is a warning from Simon Kenny, head of immigration at law firm Moore Blatch.
The Tier 2 application process, which works on a points-based system, has an annual cap of 20,700. On a monthly basis there are approximately 1,700 Certificates of Sponsorship available and, where more applications are
received than points available, those with the highest points will qualify for entry.
Priority is given to roles that are on the shortage occupation list (scoring 75 points); roles requiring a PhD which are in a research field (scoring 50 points); and then roles where a resident labour market test has been carried out (30 points). As well as this, points are scored based on the salary the role attracts, with higher salaries attracting more points.
Housing just half the story
The Solent region should welcome the Government‘s focus on new housing but keep up pressure to make sure commercial property gets the same support.
That‘s the verdict from the regional office of Vail Williams on the Conservative administration‘s legislative programme announced recently which included plans to build 200,000 starter homes in the UK.
Philip Holmes, Vail Williams partner, responded: “Land was mentioned many times in the Queen‘s Speech and the sale of council homes, for example, to fund the building of even more homes. But I think that principle should apply to freeing up commercial opportunities too, so that the market can make best use of it and unlock opportunities.
“In the south there is a chronic shortage of land to build the kinds of development that we need to attract new business, allow existing companies to expand, and to bring in new
investment, jobs and grow the local economy.
“So while we fully support the push to deliver more homes for a growing population to live in, those residents also need places to work, shop and the infrastructure to support all that development such as broadband, transport and public spaces.
“What the Queen‘s Speech didn‘t address fully was how to free up good land for good commercial development. We need to look at simplifying planning, cutting red tape, streamlining the classes of land use and opening up more opportunities.
“Examples of how we have got it right in the Solent region are the regeneration of Tipner in Portsmouth where public and private sectors have collaborated; at Dunsbury Hill where Portsmouth City Council is taking the lead to create new employment space; and at Lakeside, also in Portsmouth, where development has helped businesses to flourish.“
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – JULY/AUGUST 2015
In June, the minimum qualifying mark was 50 points to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship. This meant that if those applying did not fit into the priority category, they would need a salary of £46,000 and above to enter the UK and work.
Kenny commented: “This is likely to affect businesses in Hampshire, including many healthcare and NHS organisations that rely on skilled workers with salaries lower than £46,000. It will also impact professions such as engineers, teachers, lawyers, IT workers,
architects, nurses and healthcare professionals, all of whom had permission to work refused in June.“
It is predicted that the cap in July will also be reached. For businesses in London that are able to offer higher salaries there is likely to be less effect, but outside of London, there could be a shortage of many skilled workers which will affect companies that employ relatively low-paid workers and those that hire international graduates.
“Many businesses will be concerned about the knock- on effects on growth and the economy and, if this is allowed to continue, there could be long- term risks to British business, with some opting for overseas operations,“ concluded Kenny.
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