RAMP Project responds to the Government's immigration plans

The Government’s paper ‘The UK's points-based immigration system’ sets out its plans for a new immigration system which it says will be in place for the start of 2021. We are extremely concerned that the Government expects employers to go ‘cold turkey’. The scrapping of any low-skilled visa route with only 10 months’ notice is a recipe for serious harm to crucial sectors of our economy. While it is absolutely right we invest in skills, training and apprenticeships for the UK, this will take time and requires connected policy across Government. 

We agree with the Migration Advisory Committee’s suggestion that the government consider arguments for temporary routes during a transition to the new system, for up to 2 years, giving areas like social care and hospitality the breathing space they need. We would also argue this would also help to mitigate exploitation of workers. A cliff-edge transition may leave workers vulnerable: an area we will be exploring through the APPG on Migration with FLEX in March. 

RAMP welcomes the salary threshold lowered to £25,600, below the £30,000 proposed in the 2018 white paper, along with the removal of the Resident Labour Market Test. We also acknowledge the lowering of the skill level to level 3 A level. 

RAMP has consistently spoken of skills and salary not being one and the same, and the importance of valuing the contribution made not just to the economy but to communities and social cohesion. With this in mind we feel that the language in the paper suggesting sectors rely on current EU nationals is unhelpful and takes away from the inherent value and dignity of a person.

While we appreciate the difficulty of a visa route for self-employed, the impact of not offering this route on sectors, such as construction, is especially concerning. Questions must be asked about what the Government will do to mitigate risk and work with the construction sector, both in the UK but also reciprocal rights of self-employed UK workers in the EU. 

The Government suggests they will publish more detail in the future and we look forward to greater clarity on often under-looked areas, such as ministers of religion, and how the system will make appropriate provision. We note that this policy paper is silent on Tier 2 minister of religion and sports visas – and we will look for confirmation that this will roll over along with Tier 5.

The RAMP Project exists to champion an approach to immigration that is evidence-led, and reflects the needs of the economy while protecting the rights of individuals and communities. It is important that we recognise it is in everyone’s interest to build an immigration system that is compassionate, managed, and genuinely open to the world.