Immigration: No visas for low-skilled workers, government says

[Leroy N. Soetoro]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-51550421

Low-skilled workers would not get visas under post-Brexit immigration
plans unveiled by the government.

It is urging employers to "move away" from relying on "cheap labour" from
Europe and invest in retaining staff and developing automation technology.

The Home Office said EU and non-EU citizens coming to the UK would be
treated equally after UK-EU free movement ends on 31 December.

Labour said the "hostile environment" will make it hard to attract
workers.

But Home Secretary Priti Patel said the new system would mean "the
brightest and the best will be able to come to the United Kingdom".

BBC Briefing: Your guide to immigration
How could a UK points-based immigration system work?
How has immigration changed in your area?
The government, which said it was aiming to reduce overall migration to
the UK, wants a "points-based" immigration system - as it promised in its
election manifesto.

Under the scheme, overseas workers who wanted to come to the UK would have
to speak English and have the offer of a skilled job with an "approved
sponsor".

They would be awarded 50 points if they fulfil these criteria.

'Adapt and adjust'
In total, immigrants would have to reach 70 points to be able to work in
the UK, with points also being awarded for qualifications, the salary on
offer and working in a sector with shortages.

But the government said it would not introduce a route for lower-skilled
workers, urging businesses to "adapt and adjust" to the end of free
movement between EU countries and the UK.

"It is important employers move away from a reliance on the UK's
immigration system as an alternative to investment in staff retention,
productivity and wider investment in technology and automation," it said.

Instead, it said the 3.2 million EU citizens who have applied to continue
staying in the UK could help meet labour market demands.

The government also pointed to a quadrupling of the scheme for seasonal
workers in agriculture to 10,000, as well as "youth mobility
arrangements", which allow 20,000 young people to come to the UK each
year.

While the CBI welcomed some of the proposals, it said some firms would be
"left wondering how they will recruit the people needed to run their
businesses".

The business lobby group's director general, Carolyn Fairbairn, said:
"Firms know that hiring from overseas and investing in the skills of their
workforce and new technologies is not an 'either or' choice - both are
needed to drive the economy forward."

The Royal College of Nursing raised concerns the proposals will "not meet
the health and care needs of the population", while Unison assistant
general secretary Christina McAnea said the plans "spell absolute disaster
for the care sector".

The UK Homecare Association described the lack of provision for low-paid
workers in the proposals as "irresponsible", with a spokesman saying they
were "dismayed" by the government's decision.

"Cutting off the supply of prospective care workers under a new migration
system will pave the way for more people waiting unnecessarily in hospital
or going without care," they added.

Meanwhile, National Farmers' Union president Minette Batters raised
"serious concerns" about the "failure to recognise British food and
farming's needs" in the plans.

And the Food and Drink Federation spoke of concerns about bakers, meat
processors and workers making food like cheese and pasta not qualifying
under the new system.

The government's proposed immigration system represents a balancing act -
broadening the base of skilled labour while restricting the flow of those
seeking lower-skilled jobs.

People wanting to come to the UK from outside the EU will find rules are
being relaxed, such as scrapping the cap on skilled workers or the drop in
minimum salary.

But for EU migrants who are used to moving freely between Britain and the
continent, the new regime will be something of a shock.

Visitors can come for six months without a visa, but they won't be able to
work, those with skills must have a job offer and clear the 70 points
hurdle, and there'll be no work permits for migrants prepared to do menial
jobs in restaurants, hotels, care homes and food processing plants.

There is some flexibility in the new structure. But the question is, will
it be enough to prevent labour shortages and companies taking their
business elsewhere?

Under the new plan, all migrants will only be entitled to access income-
related benefits until after indefinite leave to remain is granted,
usually after five years.

Currently, EU nationals in the UK can claim benefits if they are
"economically active". Non-EU citizens become eligible for benefits when
they are granted permanent residence, which usually requires five years of
living legally in the UK.

Following recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the
salary threshold for skilled workers wanting to come to the UK would be
lowered from £30,000 to £25,600.

The independent advisory body argued that lowering the threshold would
help recruit teachers and skilled NHS staff.

Unlike the current system, applicants would also be able to trade points.

Those earning less than £25,600, but more than £20,480, could still apply
for visas if they had a job in a "specific shortage occupation" or a PhD
relevant to the job.

A list of shortage occupations would be kept under review by the MAC, the
government said.

Jobs currently on the MAC's Shortage Occupation List include civil
engineers, medical practitioners, nurses, psychologists and classical
ballet dancers.

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said the salary threshold system would
"need to have so many exemptions, for the NHS, for social care and many
parts of the private sector, that it will be meaningless".

She added: "Ultimately, it will also be very difficult to attract the
workers we need at all skill levels while the Tories' hostile environment
is in place. It needs to go."

Proposed points system
Mandatory requirements Points
Job offer from approved sponsor 20
Job at appropriate skill level 20
English at required level 10
Points for salary Points
£20,480 – £23,039 0
£23,040 – £25,599 10
£25,600 or above 20
Additional points Points
Job in a shortage occupation 20
PhD in subject relevant to the job 10
PhD in relevant STEM subject 20
Under the new plan, there would no longer be an overall cap on the number
of skilled workers who could come into the UK - one of the areas praised
by the CBI.

Following recommendations from MAC, the definition of skilled workers
would also be expanded to include those educated at A-level, not just at
graduate level, as was previously the case.

But waiting staff roles would be removed from the list of skilled
occupations, while new additions would include carpenters, plasterers and
childminders.

To study in the UK, overseas students would need the offer of a place at
an educational institution, have to know English, and be able to show they
can support themselves.

Changes to the system would be implemented through an immigration bill
needing approval from MPs and peers to come into force.

Shadow immigration minister Bell Ribeiro-Addy told the BBC's Newsnight: "I
feel like people have been duped a bit. We were told this was an
Australian style points-based system.

"The Australian system is meant to encourage migration across sectors. I
know that they don't want to do that, but why are you calling it one thing
when it's another?"

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said the
proposals were based on "xenophobia".

The SNP's immigration spokesman, Stuart McDonald called them a "half-
finished and disastrous one-size-fits-no-one policy".



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