Pictured above: Marian Dixon
West Midlands businesses could be the ones to lose out under the
changes to the recruitment of skilled non-EU workers, according to
a Midland immigration expert.
Under the new system, published on Wednesday, the Government
hopes to cut the overall non-EU immigration limit drastically to
20,700 annual visas.
Coming into effect on 6 April, this annual limit will be broken
down into 12 monthly allocations with a total of 4,200 available
for the first month with 1,500 each month thereafter.
However, Marian Dixon, partner and head of business immigration
at Wright Hassall Solicitors, feels that, although generally fair,
the system will throw up a number of anomalies which will affect
the ability of businesses in the Midlands and the North, to recruit
the people they need.
She said: "The procedures that have been outlined are largely
what we were expecting but while the system appears to be fair and
relatively transparent there are a number of areas open to debate
and complication, not least because only those earning over
£40,000 will be able to stay for more than a year and those
working in scientific research and development will be given
priority over other areas.
"For example, there appears to be no allowance for regional pay
rates, so those working in the London and South East region may
stand a higher chance of a successful application as their pay
rates are generally higher there than they are for instance in the
West Midlands. Likewise, people working in sectors that are
traditionally less well paid, such as the charity sector, may also
suffer.
"Also, after the first month, the allocation stands at just
1,500 per month and does not take into account the potential surge
in applications during the summer months when many firms tend to
recruit their graduates.
"One area where the system may be open to abuse is when
employers apply for unrestricted visas (which are open, for
instance, to workers earning £150,000 or more a year and to
intra-company transfers) for staff who are only eligible for a
restricted visa.
"However, UKBA has stated that they will consider removing an
employer's sponsorship licence if they spot this abuse occurring.
"Therefore while the cap seems relatively straightforward, for
many employers that are traditionally reliant on recruiting skilled
non-EU workers, it may not be a comprehensive enough system to
remain in place for the next four years, as proposed."
For more information about Wright Hassall, please visit their
website here: www.wrighthassall.co.uk