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During the visit to the US in January 2017 to meet newly installed President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, planned to discuss how to boost US-UK migration - according to sources within the British government. May was in the US partly to discuss an early trade deal once Britain has left the European Union.
Research published by Oxford University reveals that current UK immigration levels are necessary if Brits don’t want to see the state pension age increased.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says that immigrants are good for the economy and governments should be “singing the praises of migrants”, improve local infrastructure to prevent the rise of “extreme anti-immigration views” and “reap the full benefits of migration.”
According to the OECD, immigration is ‘broadly positive for countries.’ However, the organisation acknowledged that there can be negative local effects as a sharp rise in migration can expose already weak public services to additional strains.
Following the last Tier 2 visa allocation meeting of 2016, the number of restricted Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) available for January 2017 was 2,803, according to UK Visas and Immigration data. The department published its December report stating that its figures were correct as of 19 December, 2016. Employers should remember to apply by the 5th of each month to obtain a Tier 2 COS allocation at the next allocation meeting.
A study by representatives of EU leave campaigners, remain campaigners, business groups and the TUC (Trade Unions Congress) has recommended that EU citizens - who can prove five years of residency in the UK be given permanent residence status, which can be converted to a new type of indefinite leave to remain once the UK exits the European Union altogether.
Sanwar Ali, Editor of workpermit.com News reviews the current situation for EU Citizens in the UK.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says that the UK urgently needs immigrants because young Brits won’t relocate to areas where they are needed to fill jobs. The group claims that young people in the UK are reluctant to do certain types of work such as caring for the elderly, therefore migrants represent the ‘best bet’ for filling skills gaps.