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The UK government has introduced a five-point plan to overhaul the country’s immigration system. The new system aims to attract the brightest and the best individuals from all over the world while also maintaining the country’s security and integrity. The five points of the plan are:
- Points-Based System: The UK will introduce a points-based system, similar to the one used in Australia. This system will assign points to individuals based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. Those who meet the required points will be eligible to apply for a visa.
- Skilled Workers: The new system will prioritize skilled workers, including doctors, nurses, engineers, and scientists. These individuals will be given priority when applying for visas, however net salary will rise.
- Student Visas: The UK will also introduce a new graduate route visa for international students who have completed their studies in the UK. This will allow them to stay in the country for two years after graduation to find work.
- Sector-Specific Rules: The government will also introduce sector-specific rules to ensure that the immigration system is tailored to the needs of different industries. This will help to attract the best talent to key sectors such as technology, finance, and healthcare.
- Border Control: Finally, the UK will strengthen its border controls to prevent illegal immigration and maintain its security. This will include the use of electronic travel authorization and biometric data to verify the identity of individuals entering the country.
The new five-point plan is expected to be implemented in a phased manner over the next few years. The government hopes that it will help to attract the best talent to the UK while also maintaining the country’s security and integrity.
What changes can you expect to the Points-Based System?
The Point Based System (PBS) is an immigration system used by the United Kingdom to assess the eligibility of individuals who want to come to the UK for work, study, or investment purposes. The system assigns points to applicants based on certain criteria, such as their education level, work experience, and language proficiency.
Today the UK government announced that it will be introducing a higher salary level to £38,700 under the PBS system that will take effect from January 2024. Under the new system, applicants will be required to accumulate a minimum of 70 points to be eligible for a visa. The points will be awarded based on the individual’s job offer, qualifications, salary, and ability to speak English, dependants will not be allowed to join the migrant worker, and employers will be challenged with their employment requirements.
One of the key changes to the new PBS system is that it will no longer prioritize applicants from the European Union (EU) over those from non-EU countries. Instead, all applicants will be subject to the same set of rules and criteria. This move is aimed at creating a level playing field for applicants from all countries, and to attract the best and brightest talent from around the world.
Overall, the new PBS system is designed to be more streamlined and efficient, with a focus on supporting the UK’s economic growth and competitiveness. While there will be some changes to the system, it is expected to continue to provide a fair and transparent process for assessing the eligibility of individuals who wish to come to the UK.
What Challenges Will UK Sponsoring Employers Face in the next 5 years?
UK sponsoring employers are likely to face a range of challenges over the next five years. One of the biggest challenges is likely to be the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the UK’s future relationship with the EU. This uncertainty could make it more difficult for employers to attract and retain the best talent from across Europe.
Another challenge that sponsoring employers may face is changes to the UK’s immigration system. The government has already introduced a range of changes to the system, including the introduction of a new points-based system. These changes could make it more difficult for employers to sponsor workers from overseas, particularly those in lower-skilled roles.
In addition to these challenges, sponsoring employers may also face increased competition for talent from other countries. Countries such as Canada and Australia have introduced their skilled worker programmes in recent years, which could attract workers who might otherwise have come to the UK.
Despite these challenges, there are also opportunities for sponsoring employers over the next five years. For example, the UK’s departure from the EU could lead to new trade deals and partnerships with countries outside of Europe, which could create new opportunities for employers to recruit from overseas. Additionally, the government has signalled its commitment to improving the UK’s skills base, which could help to ensure that there is a strong pool of domestic talent for employers to draw from. Sponsoring Employers will be expected to meet the strict labour market test.
Will The New Salary Scale Affect Existing Skilled Migrant Workers?
The new salary scale may have an impact on existing migrant skilled workers, depending on their individual circumstances. If the new salary scale sets a higher minimum salary requirement for skilled workers, those currently earning below the new threshold may be affected. Depending on their visa status and the terms of their employment contracts, they may need to renegotiate their salary or consider finding a new job that meets the new requirements. However, if their current salary already meets or exceeds the new minimum requirement, they may not be affected. It is important for existing migrant skilled workers to stay informed of any changes to employment regulations and to consult with their employers or legal advisors if they have any concerns.
What Changes Will Take Place On The Shortage Occupation List?
The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is a list of jobs in the UK for which there are not enough resident workers to fill vacancies. The list is used by the government to determine which jobs can be filled by non-EEA workers.
The SOL is reviewed regularly, and changes are made based on the needs of the UK economy. As of January 2024, there will be an official announcements regarding changes to the SOL, there has been some speculation that the UK government will be placing restrictions on the Health and Social Care Sectors to curb “abuse” the list to include more occupations.
Brexit has led to a decline in the number of EU workers coming to the UK, which has created a shortage of workers in certain industries. The government may decide to add more occupations to the SOL to help fill these vacancies.
It is also possible that the government may remove some occupations from the list if there is an increase in the number of resident workers available to fill those jobs.
Overall, the future of the SOL is uncertain, but it is likely that there will be some changes made in the coming months and years to address the needs of the UK economy.
