Annabel Mace, London

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Right to Work Checks for UK Employers from 1 October 2022 – be prepared for changes but beware misleading information

UK employers are generally aware of the need to carry out prescribed checks to ensure their employees have the right to work, and the consequences of illegal employment (civil penalty of £20,000, risk to sponsor licence or, in extreme cases, criminal prosecution).  But the way in which the Home Office says these checks must be … Continue Reading

The effect of no-deal on EU citizens already in the UK and new arrivals after 31 October 2019 (UK)

The EU Settlement Scheme designed to protect the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their families already resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 is based on the citizens’ rights section of the UK government’s Withdrawal Agreement with the EU. However, the Withdrawal Agreement has been considered and rejected by the House … Continue Reading

The Immigration White Paper Is Finally Here – What Next for UK Employers?

Just days before we head off for some festive respite from the Brexit chaos, the Immigration White Paper has finally been published (a full 164 page delight!).  Here’s a brief summary of the key proposals, what employers should do next and how our Business Immigration team can help.  As one of the fundamental challenges facing … Continue Reading

The UK’s Proposals for EU Citizens – Some Clarity But More Questions

The government yesterday published its Rights of EU Citizens in the UK Policy Paper Factsheet for workers and employers together with detailed proposals setting out its offer to EU nationals currently resident in the UK and those proposing to enter for the purpose of residency, pre-Brexit. Although there is a fair amount of detail to … Continue Reading

Prevention of illegal working under the Immigration Act 2016 – changes to the law from 1 December 2016

Businesses employing staff without the right to work face civil penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal employee. These can be imposed without proof of illegal working (or the employer’s awareness of it) – it is then up to the employer to demonstrate that the employee did have the right to work or that it … Continue Reading

Brexit Immigration Update

Immigration continues to dominate the Brexit debate – here is a round-up of where we currently stand: Can they stay or must they go? EEA nationals currently in the UK According to Telegraph reports, Home Office research has concluded that when the UK leaves the EU, just over 80 per cent of EU citizens already … Continue Reading

Civil penalties for illegal working – how to protect your business

Home Office scrutiny of illegal working has increased significantly over recent months – businesses with large, diverse multi-sited workforces appear to be particularly at risk, but civil penalties are no longer something which only happens to other people. The civil penalty regime has the very laudable aim of deterring UK employers from hiring staff without … Continue Reading

UK Business Immigration Update – Changes to Tier 2 of the Points Based System

Following the Migration Advisory Committee’s January recommendations regarding the Government’s proposals to restrict Tier 2 of the Points Based System, the Home Office has now announced the changes that will be implemented across Tier 2. Compared to the initial radical proposals put forward by the Government to restrict Tier 2 last summer, the Home Office’s … Continue Reading

UK industry’s response to Government proposals to limit skilled immigration

The Government has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to review Tier 2 of the UK’s immigration system “with a view to significantly reducing net migration to the UK”.   On 25 September we submitted our response to the MAC’s call for evidence.  It took into account opinions canvassed from a number of international clients and contacts … Continue Reading

UK Business Immigration Update on the Prevention of Illegal Working – Part 2

Following our update last week regarding the Home Office’s Code of Practice on Preventing Illegal Working and the Civil Penalty Scheme for Employers, updated Guidance explaining the changes to employer right to work checks has now been published. On 16 May 2014, as previously advised, the Home Office’s Code of Practice on Preventing Illegal Working … Continue Reading

Dyson exposes vacuum in Home Office’s position on visas for non-EU graduates

Sir James Dyson has told Sky News that Britain’s immigration rules are “sheer madness” and counter-productive to the country’s economic ambitions.  In his view, the UK is not doing enough to make non-EU undergraduates studying science and engineering feel welcome and they should be allowed to stay in Britain on qualification rather than have to … Continue Reading

UK Business Immigration Update on the Prevention of Illegal Working

May 2014   The Home Office has issued a draft Code of Practice on Preventing Illegal Working and the Civil Penalty Scheme for Employers which introduces a number of key changes relating to employee right to work checks.   As most employers will be aware, the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 imposes a responsibility on employers … Continue Reading

More data on the financial benefits/drain of UK immigration (depending on what you read)

There’s nothing better than a few statistics to fuel the debate on immigration and I’m always drawn to any mention of positive or negative fiscal impact on this topic. The BBC’s recent article ‘More or Less: Calculating how much migrants cost or benefit a nation‘ is very informative, but does it give the full picture? … Continue Reading

UK immigration policy – a firm hand on the tiller or rearranging the deckchairs?

In a report published this weekend commissioned by former Conservative Deputy Chairman, Lord Ashcroft, a poll of more than 20,000 people revealed that 60% believe that immigration has overall brought more disadvantages than advantages to Britain. This is at odds with numerous academic studies showing that the net fiscal impact of immigration is positive but … Continue Reading
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