Immigration is back in the news again. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has been grimly pushing back on a new(ish) Government’s responsibility for record illegal migrant boat crossings. ONS data released last month showed that net migration reached a record high of 900,000. It has re-ignited a row about an economy over-reliant on migration; it may cost business and public services less in the short term than proper investment in training and skills, but translates to higher costs for all in the longer term. New Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is getting her admissions in early: the last Government, in which she served, “got it wrong” on immigration. Who knew?
As the US braces for a second Trump administration, his draconian promises on US migration policy coincide with well-connected US citizens eyeing a future in the UK; whilst his proposals on tariffs and trade have US businesses thinking carefully about sending skilled workers here in the next four years.
Keen to demonstrate action rather than rhetoric, the UK Government has announced a new crackdown on illegal working – the ease of accessing our illegal economy is a perceived pull factor for the migrants who cross continents and the put their lives at risk to escape… France.
A limited extension for Ukrainian nationals granted temporary humanitarian status in the UK leaves many with uncertainty as the war grinds on, and there is doubt about continued support funding.
It has also had to delay the deadline for the stuttering implementation of the switch from Biometric Residence Permits to eVisas at year end. The rushed, embarrassed ministerial announcement with 17 working days left of 2024 says it all. Migrants will be travelling with “expired” permits well into 2025.
Economic migration is affected by all this too – expect salary thresholds for migrants to be raised even further in Spring 2025, Opposition calls for a numerical cap are not a new idea – it was actually the Conservatives who scrapped them last time around. The Labour Government wants to look tough and competent. It needs some wins on immigration and is looking for levers to pull.
For employers, what are the key takeaways as we enter 2025?
- Review your right to work check policies and processes – they might need an overhaul sooner than you think. The Home Office is ramping up investigations and penalties for illegal working. Right to work checks need to be carried out properly, on time and doubtful results must be dealt with. Processes have changed in the last two years.
- Make sure that the messages on eVisas are clear to your migrant employees: put help and reassurance in place, and ensure that they act to update their online UKVI records.
- Expert immigration to get tougher and more expensive, especially at the lower end of the Skilled Worker spectrum – plan well ahead, and if in doubt, take legal advice early.
- Business visitors from your overseas entities who previously needed no formal process before coming to the UK may now need an electronic travel authorisation.
The information provided in this article is provided for general information purposes only, and does not provide definitive advice. It does not amount to legal or other professional advice and so you should not rely on any information contained here as if it were such advice.
Wright Hassall does not accept any responsibility for any loss which may arise from reliance on any information published here. Definitive advice can only be given with full knowledge of all relevant facts. If you need such advice please contact a member of our professional staff.
The information published across our Knowledge Base is correct at the time of going to press.
