PM's squeeze on skilled migrant workers to hit UK plc, warns Law Society

16 November 2009

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's plans to put a squeeze on migrant workers will deprive UK businesses of the best talent, warns the Law Society.

The Prime Minister has announced that a number of professions have already been removed from a Government-approved list of shortage occupations which the UK needs, with many more to be removed before the end of the year. The Law Society has warned that with shortages of skilled workers in many professions and the decision to restrict recruitment of skilled workers outside of the EU, will undoubtedly affect UK businesses.

Many professions are expected to be affected by the squeeze, including civil engineering, which the Government identified as recently as June as being an area where there was a shortage across the whole sector.

Law Society President, Robert Heslett says: "The UK, especially in a time of economic crisis, needs to attract the most experienced and talented individuals in order of retaining its competitiveness in the international market.

"These changes will compound the difficulties businesses are already experiencing in recruitment because of the complex nature of the existing immigration rules and the additional financial pressures the points based system has placed on the recruitment process."

The introduction of the points based system which was intended to simplify the visa application process is far more complicated than the previous work permit scheme.

For example, the test for the resident labour market test has gotten more complicated under the points based system.

Robert Heslett says: "The points based system has been designed to be flexible, which means it is changing all the time. In March changes were made to the resident labour market test to require employers wishing to sponsor a migrant to advertise in Jobcentre Plus, and now the Prime Minister is announcing further changes. With a constantly shifting system it is important for employers and potential employees to get legal advice."

The Society recommends using a solicitor not only in preparing an application that is less likely to be rejected, but also if a person's application is rejected. A solicitor can appeal a decision or submit an application for a decision to be judicially reviewed.

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