Shortage jobs list could leave UK employers in crisis under new points scheme
A strict list of skilled worker “shortage jobs”—likely to be taken up when the next phase of the UK’s new migration system is introduced later this year—has been published.
Under the points based migration regime, skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area who want to work in the UK will need a certificate of sponsorship from an employer and must meet English language and maintenance requirements. They must also meet points criteria based on their expected contribution to the UK economy.
Jeremy Nixon, partner at Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons, says that those in industries such as construction and catering, which have relied heavily on migrant labour over recent years, are likely to be concerned by the fact that the list has been so tightly drawn.
He says: 'At a time when anecdotal evidence suggests that EU migrants are heading home, managers may face difficulties recruiting for positions which fall just below the skill levels provided for by the Migration Advisory Committee, particularly since progress on Tier 3 (unskilled workers) has been suspended for the time being.'
This, he says, could have the effect of pushing up wages for some roles at a time when businesses are facing a range of inflationary forces and may lead to pressure on the government to speed up progress on Tier 3.
The final shortage jobs list will be published by the Home Office next month ahead of the skilled worker tier of the points system coming online in November.
However, the Home Office has said that applications from employers for a sponsorship licence must be received by 1 October if they are to be processed in time.
