The Net Migration Target & Non- EU Nationals

The net migration target has been a much talked about and debated topic since 2010 and the view of reducing net migration from the 'hundreds of thousands' to 'tens of thousands'. In short net migration is the difference between the number of people who move to the UK for a year or more, and the number who leave to live elsewhere for the same period. It includes British nationals and foreign nationals, moving into and out of the UK for work, study, family and asylum reasons, among others. Reasons for reducing net migration are aplenty and often social & economic.  

https://fullfact.org/immigration/net-migration-target-election/ 

The Numbers Historically

 

1992-1993 – negative net migration 

1994-1997 – 50,000 – 80,000 per year 

1997 – 2003 – 140,000 – 185,000 per year 

2004 – 2007 – 270,000 per year  

2008 – 2009 – Small Decline 

2010 – 2012 – From 256,000 to 177,000 – per year 

2013 – 210,000 per year 

2015 – 332,000 per year 

End of 2016 – 273,000 per year 

 

As you can see net migration rose sharply from 1994-2007 due to many factors and one being the expansion of the EU. The current figure of 273,000 per year is almost triple the target of 'tens of thousands'. 


Policies implemented to try and reduce net migration

 

Some of the key policies introduced to achieve the net migration target include: 

  • The closure of the Tier 1 general route for migration (high skilled route). 

  • A numerical cap on non-EU skilled migrant workers of 20,700 per year (Tier 2 general visa). 

  • A minimum income threshold of £18,600 per year was stablished for British nationals and non-EU nationals settled in the UK wishing to bring non-EU spouses to the country. 

  • Efforts were made to reduce misuse of the student visa system and some educational establishments lost their right to sponsor non-EU students. 

  • A minimum income of £35,000 per year was introduced for non-EU labour migrants wishing to settle in the UK after five years. 

This however focuses mainly on Non-EU nationals which proves easier to control. With Brexit who knows what measure will be implemented or point based systems could be presented for EU nationals looking to working and live in the UK 

 

Non-EU Nationals

 

Some good news for Techie firms and businesses in general as the Chancellor Philip Hammond has said: 'businesses hiring foreign workers will not be more onerous post-Brexit'. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/02/philip-hammond-tells-businesses-hiring-foreign-workers-will/ 

Previous blogs from Mason Alexander have focused on skill shortages and Non-EU talent being essential in the UK economy. 

https://www.mavisas.co.uk/news/2017/3/2/baby-boomers-the-need-for-skilled-migrant-labour  

& 

https://www.mavisas.co.uk/news/2017/5/18/dont-let-brexit-stop-us-hiring-begs-tech-whizz 

The message is clear that shortages and skilled talent will always be required regardless of where it comes from. 

 

To Sum up

 

Who knows what the future may bring post-brexit and also past 8th June post UK election. Restricting Non-EU nationals further and making it harder for employers to hire such talent in the UK is surely not the answer. For more information regarding Tier 2 General sponsorship and related blogs and information do follow us and contact us at consult@mavisas.co.uk and 07376290621. 

Thanks for reading. 

Mason Alexander

Mason Alexander