Business News New immigration rules met with caution
Government plans for a post- Brexit points-based immigration system have received a guarded welcome from business leaders. But both local and national Chambers of Commerce have concerns that the new system will not be able to react to any critical labour shortages that suddenly occur. The new system will, if the
relevant legislation is passed by Parliament, take effect on 1 January 2021. This will coincide with the end of
the Brexit transition period, when free movement between the UK and the EU is scheduled to end. Under the proposals, points will
be assigned for specific skills, qualifications, salaries or professions, and visas will only be awarded to those who gain enough points. The new single global system will
treat EU and non-EU citizens equally. It will give priority to those with the highest skills and the greatest talents, including scientists, engineers and academics. Skilled workers will need to meet
a number of relevant criteria to be able to work in the UK. All
£20,480 and £25,600 could still apply for visas if they have a PhD relevant to the job or have a job in a specific shortage occupation. Those looking to live and work in
the UK will now need to be qualified up to A-level or equivalent, rather than degree-level under the current system.
‘Critical labour shortages mean firms will still need access to overseas workers at all skill levels’
Student visa routes will also be
points-based and be opened up to EU citizens. Those wishing to study in the UK
Adam Marshall: New system needs to ‘respond quickly’
applicants will be required to have a job offer and, in line with the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations, the minimum salary threshold will be set at £25,600. Workers earning between
will need to demonstrate that they have an offer from an approved educational institution, that they can support themselves financially and that they speak English. EU citizens resident in the UK by
31 December 2020 can still apply to settle in the UK through the EU Settlement Scheme until June 2021. In response to the new system,
Henrietta Brealey, Chamber director of policy and strategic
relationships, said: “Having access to the right skills and labour is critical for businesses. “Our latest Quarterly Business
Report survey shows that even now, over half of firms (56 per cent) that attempted to recruit in Q4 2019 experienced recruitment difficulties. “While we welcome the ambition
to attract the best and brightest from across the world, businesses need access to the right people at all levels where they face skills shortages locally – particularly given the short time frame within which these proposals are set to be implemented.” British Chambers director
general Adam Marshall said: “The speed and scale of these changes will require significant adjustment by businesses. “Companies are already investing
heavily in home-grown talent across the UK, but critical labour shortages mean firms will still need access to overseas workers at all skill levels. “The new points system must be
able to respond quickly to changing market needs, and the application process must be radically simplified.”
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March 2020 CHAMBERLINK 13
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