Government readies businesses for points-based immigration system

The nationwide marketing campaign will run throughout autumn, using a wide range of channels to reach employers, including radio, social media, digital, and outdoor advertising.

The key message for businesses is that the way they hire from the EU is changing, and to recruit from outside the UK, they will need to be a licensed sponsor.

Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster said, "The new points-based system will be fairer and firmer, giving us control of our borders and treating people based on the skills they have to offer and the contribution they can make to the UK, not where they come from.

"We will be able to decide who comes into the country, allowing us to prioritise and invest in those people already in the UK, upskilling our current work force, whilst also attracting the best and brightest from around the world to complement the skills we already have."

Mr Foster stressed the importance of employers being prepared for the implementation of the new points-based immigration system. He noted that the comprehensive programme of communications will complement the hundreds of engagement events that the Home Office has conducted and will continue to do so to help employers understand the system and how to prepare.

"We are working extensively to understand employers’ needs and encourage them to invest in the best home-grown talent alongside recruiting the best and brightest from abroad," Mr Foster said. 

"Our new system has been designed with businesses in mind, treating people from every part of the world equally, welcoming them based on the skills they have to offer and how they will contribute to the UK, not where their passport comes from."

According to the government, it will be simpler for businesses to access the talent they need as we the Resident Labour Market Test is removed, the threshold for skills and salary is lowered, the cap on skilled workers is suspended.