Employment damaged by immigration changes

While the government rolls out drastic changes to the immigration system, market experts believe alterations could have a negative impact on the diverse and skilled nature of Britain's workforce.

As of 6th April, significant changes to Tiers 1 and 2 of the UK's points-based immigration system were enforced under the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules.

Alongside a string of adjustments to foreign student eligibility and Tier 1 leave periods, modifications to the points-based system will limit the movement of foreign non-EU workers in employment.

According to the Home Office, Tier 2 migrants seeking to transfer between countries and work at their company's British offices will no longer be able to accrue time in the UK to contribute towards a permanent right to stay.

In addition, migrant workers seeking permanent residence in the UK must work in a role for five years and experts have warned that changes to the intra-company transfer route (ITC) could put migrants off British shores.

As migrants could possibly be forced out of the country after five years, employers could look locally for staff, with British workers guaranteed permanent residence, neglecting migrants more suitably skilled.

Migrants themselves could also be put off applying for work in the UK if they know that stringent ITC rules could make residency difficult.

According to the Professional Contractors' Group (PCG) there are about 30,000 IT workers, mainly from India, who have entered the UK on ICT permits, but staff in professional services and law firms also rely on the transfer system.

"We are very concerned over the new rules under which right to settlement will be denied for those coming under intra company transfers," warned Amit Kapadia, Executive Director of the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme. "Such draconian measures will only lead to further exploitation of migrants in the UK."

Source: TLA