London’s Business Leaders Criticise May’s post-Brexit Immigration Policy

Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly emphasised that her post-Brexit immigration policy proposals heavily focuses on attracting the “brightest and best” EU talent, in turn disregarding other EU workers who are able to fill the UK’s vast skills shortages. London’s business leaders have criticised Mrs May’s post-Brexit immigration policy proposals by announcing that if she continues to ignore the need for overseas workers with many skills across many sectors, this could have catastrophic consequences for the UK economy and for many UK industries and services.

May’s post-Brexit Immigration Policy

Theresa May has announced her post-Brexit immigration policy which is that the UK will continue to welcome the “brightest and best” immigrants from other EEA states once the UK has left the EU. However, many London business leaders have criticised Mrs May’s stance as the UK heavily relies on EEA workers of varying skills, in order to maintain all types of services and industries in the UK. Furthermore, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said that the Mrs May’s post-Brexit immigration proposals are a “blueprint on how to strangle our economy”. Business leaders are also concerned that the UK Government will cease making progress on major projects such as the Heathrow runway expansion and Crossrail 2 if the UK is less inviting of EU workers who are not deemed the “brightest and best”.

In July this year, the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, commissioned a report from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) regarding the impact of EU migrants on the UK, which is expected to be published in September 2018 that will hopefully highlight to Theresa May and her Government that there is a great need for varying skill levels of EU talent in the UK. In terms of the actual process for EU workers to apply to work in the UK post-Brexit, it is likely they will have to make an application under the Points-Based System of the Immigration Rules, or similar. This will entail the Applicant and employer having to meet all of the necessary requirements such as the minimum salary requirement and satisfying the Resident Labour Market Test. .

UK Shortage Occupations

It is no secret that there are many shortage occupations in the UK. This means that there are skills gaps across many industries and services where UK nationals are unwilling or unable to do the jobs, therefore businesses rely on hiring skilled overseas workers. One of the most highly documented and reported professions in the UK which is suffering from a major skills shortage is nurses and midwives in the NHS. It is feared that is Mrs May is successful in alienating all those foreign workers who are not the “brightest and best”, there is a serious risk that the pressures on sectors like the NHS and social care will continue to grow and there could be a collapse of entire sectors.

Gurnek Bains, founder of think-tank ‘Global Future’ has remarked that the UK’s political leaders have “failed to challenge the assumption that less immigration would be good for Britain” and therefore with an increasing number of EEA workers leaving the UK and a decrease in the number of applications for shortage occupations, the UK is at real risk of damaging its economy. The full list of shortage occupations can be found under Appendix K of the Immigration Rules.

Using Legal Representation for post-Brexit Immigration Policy Enquiries

Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to ensure you comply with the rules and regulations for employing an EEA worker.

Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, all necessary documents must be provided.

This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.

Successful Applications in preparing for May’s post-Brexit Immigration Policy

Our team of solicitors and barristers are immigration specialists who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your immigration status and the merit of your visa and immigration application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your immigration and visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.

Our offices are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients.  We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.

Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation.

Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.

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