Proposed immigration reforms to affect employers

The Government has published a White Paper setting out significant reforms to immigration titled ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’. A white paper does not, by itself, change the law or immigration rules but it puts forward the changes the Government indents to make in the future.

As of yet no time period for the implementation of these reforms has been decided, but there are a number of important potential changes affecting employers in the transport sector particularly, including:

• Qualifications: Skilled Worker visas will require RQF 6 (degree level), as opposed to RQF 3 (approximately A level standard) meaning fewer roles will qualify for Skilled Worker visas.
• Pay: minimum salary levels for Skilled Worker visas to increase.
• Indefinite leave: the minimum period required for those on work visas to qualify for settlement or indefinite leave to remain in the UK may increase from five years to 10 years; and
• English language: increase to the English language level required for those on Skilled Worker visas will increase and adult dependants will also have to satisfy English language requirements.

Concerned about how immigration reform could impact your workforce planning? Our team can help you assess risk, prepare for changes, and adapt your recruitment strategy. Contact Backhouse Jones for expert legal advice.

This article was written by Gabrielle Scriven.