CBI @10am: The new points-based immigration system: what it means for UK businesses

Speakers:

• Matthew Fell, Chief UK Policy Director, CBI
• Jurga McCluskey, Head of Immigration, Deloitte
• Kevin Foster, Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Home Office
• Ceri Thomas, Editor and Partner, Tortoise Media (Chair)

Overview:

Matthew Fell:

• The CBI’s current priorities are:
  1. Getting more clarity and transparency after the lockdown ends on 2 December. We’re also focusing on testing and workplace testing, and providing guidance for businesses around this
  2. Encouraging both sides to get a Brexit deal, as many companies are currently ‘flying blind’
  3. Recovering from the pandemic. The CBI was pleased to hear the government’s 10-point plan on green industrial revolution, as this will provide a springboard for jobs and investment
• On immigration, the new system is a very significant change for business
• There are some positive changes for businesses, but there are also many aspects some firms will find challenging – such as around low-skilled workers
• We’re launching the first version, and there are other things on the way. But we’ll have to live with the early iteration at first
• The CBI is particularly encouraged about the dynamism of the shortage occupation list.

Kevin Foster:

• The core message of the new system is that it’s a global system. If you’re recruiting people from outside of UK, this system applies
• It’s fairer and simpler, as it judges people by the skills and talent they have, not their passport
• The core is point is that an individual will need 70 points to be able to work in the UK, with points being earned for things like salary, level of spoken English, etc. The old system was more academically focused, but now it’s more about skills
• If businesses are looking at more general skills, they should be recruiting from the domestic market
• The government doesn’t want to get into a numbers game around immigration. Jobs can qualify provided they meet the salary and work-based training threshold
• The goal is to have a fully digitised system
• The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will be producing annual reports around the shortage occupation list.

Jurga McCluskey:

• If you need to hire foreign nationals and you know they need a work permit, you need a sponsor licence. This makes it more straightforward – exactly what the new system is designed for
• The system is designed to make things more simplified and efficient
• Simplicity is key – understanding every nuance and detail can be very difficult
• The main thing to address is understanding the procedures, your obligations and what it means for your organisation.