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By Sanwar Ali:
As the UK charts its course outside of the European Union, one of the key areas reshaped by Brexit has been immigration. The UK’s immigration system has undergone a significant transformation, with a shift from European Union (EU) to non-EU immigration. Employers have used extensively the sponsor licence and Skilled Worker visa system to bring in migrants. This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of this shift and its implications for the UK’s economy, society, and immigration system.
Table of Contents
- Migration Trends: An Overview
- Driving Factors Behind the Shift
- The Role of Work Visas
- Impacts on Specific Industries
- Government Policies and Their Effects
- The Issue of Immigration Health Surcharge
- The Sponsorship System and Sponsor Licences
- Addressing Skills Shortages
- The Future of Immigration in the UK
- Conclusion
Migration Trends: An Overview
The Brexit referendum in 2016 marked a significant turning point in the UK’s immigration landscape. In the years following the referendum, a clear trend is visible: a decline in EU migration and a steady rise in non-EU migration.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of immigrants from the EU has significantly dropped since the Brexit vote. Conversely, immigration from non-EU countries has been on an upward trend, with records showing that non-EU nationals working in the UK have recently surpassed the number of EU nationals.
This shift in migration patterns is not solely due to changes in work visa rules. Other visa categories, such as humanitarian resettlement schemes and international student recruitment, have also contributed to the increase in non-EU nationals in the UK.
Driving Factors Behind the Shift
Several factors are driving this shift from EU to non-EU immigration. The UK government's decision to end freedom of movement with the EU post-Brexit has had a significant impact, making the UK less accessible for EU migrants.
On the other hand, the liberalisation of work visa rules for non-EU immigrants has made the UK a more attractive destination for these individuals. In addition, the introduction of humanitarian resettlement schemes for people from regions like Hong Kong and Ukraine has also increased non-EU immigration.
The UK's attractive education sector is another driver. The number of non-EU individuals coming to the UK for formal study has increased, further boosting non-EU immigration numbers.
The Role of Work Visas
Work visas play a crucial role in the UK's immigration system. Following Brexit, the UK government introduced several changes to its work visa system, lowering salary and skill thresholds for certain visas and abolishing the cap on visa numbers.
Two main types of long-term work visas exist in the UK: the skilled worker visa and the global business mobility visa. The former allows settlement in the UK after five years, while the latter is designed for staff moving internally within multinational companies. The liberalisation of work visa rules, has made the UK more accessible to non-EU workers.
Impacts on Specific Industries
The shift from EU to non-EU immigration has had varying effects on different sectors of the UK economy. Sectors like health and social care, professional, scientific and technical activities, and information and communications have seen a significant increase in non-EU workers.
The health and social care sector, in particular, has experienced a surge in non-EU workers, with the majority of long-term work visa applications for entry coming from this sector. Increased recruitment of non-EU nationals has helped to deal with skills shortages caused by fewer EU workers.
The hospitality and administrative and support services sectors saw a significant drop in the number of EU nationals they employed in 2020. These sectors have since seen a significant increase in the number of non-EU nationals working in them.
Government Policies and Their Effects
The UK government's post-Brexit immigration policies have been instrumental in shaping the current immigration landscape. The decision to end freedom of movement with the EU has significantly reduced EU migration to the UK.
Conversely, the liberalisation of work visa rules, the introduction of humanitarian resettlement schemes, and record levels of international student recruitment have boosted non-EU immigration. These policies have not only changed the composition of the UK's immigrant workforce but also had significant implications for various sectors of the economy.
The Issue of Immigration Health Surcharge
One issue that has come under scrutiny in the UK's immigration system is the immigration health surcharge. This is a fee paid by non-EU immigrants when they apply for a visa to stay in the UK for more than six months. The fee is used to fund the National Health Service (NHS), and immigrants are required to pay it regardless of whether they use NHS services or have private health insurance.
Critics argue that the surcharge is a form of double taxation, as immigrants also pay taxes that fund the NHS. The government, however, maintains that the surcharge is necessary to ensure that immigrants contribute to the cost of healthcare services they may use during their stay in the UK. The charge will be even higher in future.
The Sponsorship System and Sponsor Licences
The UK's immigration work visa system largely operates on a sponsorship basis. Companies wishing to employ non-EU workers in many cases need to obtain a sponsor licence. The employer then issues a certificate of sponsorship to the worker, who uses it to apply for a work visa.
The sponsorship system has been criticised for being complex and burdensome for employers, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Critics argue that the system favours large corporations that have the resources to navigate the complexities of the system.
Despite these criticisms, the sponsorship system remains a key mechanism for controlling immigration in the UK. The government claims that it makes sure that non-EU workers are coming to the UK for legitimate employment and that employers are meeting their obligations towards migrant workers.
Addressing Skills Shortages
One of the key drivers of immigration is the need to address skills shortages in the UK. The country's shortage occupation list, which outlines the professions that are experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals, often guides immigration policy.
Following Brexit, several sectors, including health and social care, have experienced acute skills shortages. The liberalisation of work visa rules and lowering of salary and skill thresholds have been steps towards addressing these shortages. However, the success of these measures remains to be seen as the UK continues to navigate its post-Brexit landscape.
The Future of Immigration in the UK
The future of immigration in the UK will largely be shaped by the government's policies and the country's economic needs. While the shift towards non-EU immigration is likely to continue in the near future, changes in global and domestic conditions could influence future migration patterns.
For instance, the UK's immigration policies, such as the sponsorship system, could be revised in response to changing circumstances. Moreover, the UK's economic needs, particularly in sectors experiencing skills shortages, will continue to shape immigration policy and the composition of the immigrant workforce.
Conclusion
The UK's post-Brexit immigration landscape is marked by a clear shift from EU to non-EU immigration. This shift, driven by factors such as changes in work visa rules, government policies, and the abolition of freedom of movement with the EU, has reshaped the UK's immigration system and its immigrant workforce.
However, as the UK continues to navigate its post-Brexit journey, the future of immigration remains uncertain. The country's immigration policies and economic needs will continue to shape its immigration landscape, with the likelihood of further changes and challenges ahead.
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