
Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 7 June 2024
As the UK gears up for the upcoming general election, the issue of immigration has taken centre stage in the political discourse.
The recent pledge by the Conservative party to cap visas awarded to migrant workers to reduce immigration has raised concerns among industry figures, who warn that this approach could harm vital sectors of the UK economy. As both the Conservatives and Labour attempt to demonstrate their toughness on migration, businesses in tourism, hospitality, construction, and manufacturing are expressing their apprehension about the potential consequences of an arbitrary crackdown on migrant labour.
Representatives from these sectors, which collectively employ millions of people, argue that politicians are failing to understand the UK’s need for migrant workers and that such measures could exacerbate existing skills shortages, limit output, and even accelerate the automation of certain roles.
The share of overseas-born workers in the UK has risen from 9% to 19% over the past two decades, according to the Office for National Statistics, and industry leaders emphasise the importance of investing in skills and helping people into employment to ensure that any long-term reduction in migration rates does not further contribute to labour shortages.
This ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance between managing immigration and maintaining economic stability, with the UK’s future immigration policies likely to have significant implications for businesses and the workforce.
The UK education sector has already been significantly affected by the stricter regulations imposed on international students in 2024, including the prohibition on bringing dependents and the potential discontinuation of the UK graduate visa scheme, which has created uncertainty and concern among prospective students and educational institutions alike.
The recently released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings have highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by UK universities, with 52 out of 90 British institutions receiving lower rankings compared to the previous year. Despite Imperial College London’s impressive rise to second place, surpassing Oxford and Harvard and trailing only the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the overall picture for UK higher education remains concerning. Experts warn that the persistent funding pressures experienced by UK universities could lead to a decline in their international reputations and even potential closures. The rankings serve as a stark reminder of the need for increased support and investment in the UK’s higher education sector to maintain its global competitiveness and ensure the long-term viability of its institutions.
In a positive step forward following a response to numerous allegations of exploitation faced by migrant workers in the British social care sector, the Labour party has pledged to launch an investigation into the matter if they secure victory in the upcoming election. Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, strongly condemned the alleged mistreatment, accusing the government of neglecting the issue and vowing to support the Royal College of Nursing’s call for a comprehensive inquiry into the experiences of effected individuals. Reports suggest that some migrant care workers have been left stranded in the UK with substantial debts and little to no work, despite promises made to them. The proposed investigation would aim to ensure that standards are upheld, and exploitative employers are held accountable, with Labour’s planned new enforcement body overseeing the crackdown on exploitation in the care sector. The Liberal Democrats have also criticized the Conservatives’ handling of the immigration system and their apparent lack of effort in addressing exploitation within the sector, emphasising the urgent need for an investigation.
Considering the upcoming UK elections and the potential impact on migration policies, particularly those affecting UK business migrants, it is crucial for individuals and organisations to stay well-informed about the current rules and regulations. As both the Conservative and Labour parties vie to demonstrate their firm stance on immigration, the uncertainty surrounding future policies has raised concerns among industry leaders who fear that an arbitrary crackdown on migrant labour could have detrimental effects on crucial sectors of the UK economy.
Given the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and its potential impact on businesses and the workforce, this course will be invaluable for anyone looking to stay informed and adapt to the changing landscape of UK migration. By providing a comprehensive overview of the current rules and best practices, HJT Training’s course Skilled Workers & Global Business Mobility, will help immigration advisors understand and work through the complexities of the UK’s immigration system and ensure compliance in the face of potential policy changes for their business immigration and High Net worth clients. For more information on the course or to register, click here
For more information on our other live sessions, visit here
For enquiries, contact us enquiries@hjt-training.co.uk or call 075441 64692.
For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Policy and other document updates, see below
IMMIGRATION NEWS
Man stranded in Turkey can return to UK after Home Office U-turn – The Guardian
A man who has been exiled in Turkey and separated from his British son for more than a year can return home after the UK government conceded it should never have excluded him.
Siyabonga Twala has spent the last 18 months living in limbo in Ankara after he was prevented from boarding a flight back to Manchester with his family in December 2022.
For full report, click here
UK universities face ‘irreversible decline’, global league table suggests – The Guardian
UK universities will have their international reputations dented and face possible closure because of continuing funding pressures, according to an authoritative league table that named Imperial College London as second in the world.
Imperial overtook Oxford and Harvard universities and was behind only the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the annual Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings.
For full report, click here
‘Arbitrary’ election pledges to cut UK migration will worsen worker shortages – The Guardian
The battle between the Conservatives and Labour to show they are tough on migration risks damaging sectors that are vital to the economy, industry figures have warned.
Rishi Sunak unveiled a Conservative pledge to cap visas awarded to migrant workers on Monday, promising “bold action to reduce immigration” amid pressure from a Reform party reinvigorated by the return of Nigel Farage as leader.
For full report, click here
Labour pledges to investigate treatment of migrant workers in care sector – The Guardian
Labour will launch an investigation into the treatment of migrant workers in the British social care sector if it wins the election, the party has announced, after dozens of cases of alleged exploitation were uncovered.
Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, called the allegations revealed by the Guardian “a disgrace”, accusing the government of turning a blind eye to the problem.
For full report, click here
Asylum seekers report widespread abuse in Home Office accommodation – The Guardian
Hundreds of complaints about ill treatment from staff looking after asylum seekers in hotels and other accommodation have been lodged with the Home Office, a Guardian investigation has found.
The complaints have been lodged within the last year and asylum seekers say that they include abuse and harassment, failures to deal with vulnerabilities such as mental health problems and serious self-harm, and staff walking into their bedrooms unannounced.
For full report, click here
What impact would the Tories’ visa cap have? – BBC News UK
Net migration- the difference between the number of people coming to live in the UK and those leaving – fell by 10% in 2023, mostly due to fewer people coming on humanitarian routes from Hong Kong and Ukraine.
The Conservatives say falling migration means their measures to tackle it – including limiting visas for the dependents of care workers – are already working.
For full report, click here
How many people cross the Channel in small boats and how many claim asylum in the UK? – BBC News UK
The UK government plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter people from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
However, Labour leader Keir Starmer has pledged to scrap the Rwanda scheme, and instead plans to use counter-terrorism powers against gangs smuggling people across the Channel.
For full report, click here
CASE LAW
ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking), R (On the Application Of) v Kent County Council [2024] EWHC 1353 (Admin)
The High Court has issued its final ruling in the case brought by ECPAT UK, emphasising that Kent County Council (Kent CC) cannot derogate from its duties under the Children Act 1989 in accommodating unaccompanied children in hotels, and that both Kent CC and the Home Office must take all necessary steps to ensure this unlawful situation never arises again.
The court found Kent CC’s use of “Section 11 notices” to have no statutory basis and the Home Secretary’s decision-making regarding the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) to be irrational. The court’s unusual but necessary oversight throughout the lengthy litigation has led to substantial outcomes for unaccompanied children, including the end of the unlawful practice, confirmation of local authorities’ responsibilities, improvements to the NTS, additional funding for Kent CC, and a commitment from the UK Home Office not to directly accommodate unaccompanied children under the Illegal Migration Act 2023.
For full decision, click here
HOME OFFICE GUIDANCE AND DOCUMENTS POLICY UPDATES
Guidance: Papua New Guinea tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 5th June 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Vietnam tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 5th June 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Adopted children and children coming to the UK for adoption caseworker guidance has been updated on 4th June 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Malaysia tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 4th June 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors workers has been updated on 4th June 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors students has been updated on 4th June 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here