Page 9 - inPRINT Issue 63

inDEPTH

By the end of June 2020, 3.4 million EU
nationals had been granted Settled Status
and are therefore entitled to remain in the UK

legal
EMPLOYMENT OF WORKERS

FROM THE EUROPEAN

UNION AFTER BREXIT

he rights of EU nationals Under the proposed new Home Office should consider
Tto live and work in the rules, a worker from outside applying for a Licence now,
UK will end on 31 December the UK will need to score at as it is expected that there
2020. least 70 points, with 50 of will be a significant upturn
Many businesses in those in three mandatory in Licence applications in
the UK that have migrant categories: the early part of next year.
workers from the EU will For employers that
need to adapt to the changes » They must be able to speak currently rely on unskilled
brought about by the end English – 10 points migrant workers, especially We can predict that
to free movement, and » They must have a job offer those employees who there will inevitably be
understand what this will from an approved sponsor are transient rather than job losses and an increase
mean for the labour market (employers will have to permanently based here, the in unemployment, and
in the UK. apply to become Home Government says it will not therefore an increase in
EU nationals who already Office Licensed Sponsors) introduce a low skilled or people looking for work. But
live in the UK and who meet – 20 points temporary work route, and that does not necessarily
the qualifying criteria can » They must be coming to instead employers should mean there will be enough
still apply for Settled Status, a job at the appropriate invest in staff retention, UK workers to fill the gaps
and have until the 30 June skill level (A Level or above productivity, technology and left by EU migrant workers,
2021 to apply (see Inprint required qualification) – 20 automation. This means and employers will need to
issue 57 – March/April 2019 points that, except for some limited make roles as attractive as
for details of the scheme). relief for the agricultural possible.
Figures published by the The remaining 20 points industry under the seasonal
Home Office show that by can be made up from workers pilot, employers For more information on
the end of June 2020, 3.4 a number of different need to plan now for how applying for a Sponsor
million EU nationals had categories: they will fill unskilled roles Licence, contact BPIF
been granted Settled Status in their businesses. Legal. For help with staff
and are therefore entitled to » A salary of between Employers may consider retention, contact BPIF
remain in the UK. £23,040 and £25,599 – 10 various strategies including: HR. And for advice and
But for Employers who points information on training and
want to take on workers » A salary of more than » Encouraging their current apprenticeships, contact
from the EU (or anywhere £25,600 – 20 points EU employees to apply for BPIF Training.
else) in the future, there will » A job offer in a shortage Settled Status
be new rules to navigate. occupation – 20 points » Developing staff retention Legal
From 1 January 2021, the » Having a PHD degree – 10 initiatives and incentives www.britishprint.com/
UK will operate a points points » Invest in training and contact-us/legal
based immigration system. » Having a PHD degree apprenticeships
The Government has in engineering, maths, » Review job descriptions HR
indicated that the aim of science or technology – 20 » Consider pay rate www.britishprint.com/
the new system is to attract points increases contact-us/hr
skilled workers from around
the world, whilst at the same Employers that are likely At the time of writing, we Training
time encouraging employers to want to hire workers don’t yet know the impact www.britishprint.com/
to stop relying on low skilled who meet the criteria, but on the labour market of the contact-us/training
and often low paid labour who don’t already have a COVID-19 pandemic.
from EU countries. Sponsor Licence from the

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