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Suspension of the UK’s Refugee Family Reunion scheme: an afront to the principle of family unity
Oliver Oldman
The current government is intent on lowering net migration to the UK. All but eradicating the ability for students and care workers to bring family members with them to the UK are policies already significantly affecting numbers.
The manifestos show both the current and potential incoming Labour government are talking of plans to upskill the domestic workforce, encourage people back into work and developing cross-government task forces to help with recruitment and staffing shortages.
In the meantime, UK employers have the practical reality of needing to quickly fill key roles within their organisation. They need specialist skills and experience, which may not be available from the domestic workforce. Any impact from government upskilling plans is likely to be extremely slow and unlikely to change the stark reality of skills shortages.
The ever-increasing necessity for UK employers to recruit from overseas is shown in the graph below. The latest sponsor data to March 2024 shows a huge and continual growth in the number of employers needing to apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence since Brexit. With EU and non-EU citizens needing to be sponsored, more and more employers are applying for a sponsor licence. In 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic, 5,735 UK employers applied for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. In the last 12 months it was 48,411 – a whopping 744% increase.
Skilled Worker sponsor licence applications and UKVI compliance activity
More and more employers, big and small across the country are deciding to apply for a sponsor licence to help them recruit the people they need. The April 2024 increases to Skilled Worker salary thresholds will not stop employers relying on the Skilled Worker system when they can. The reduction in the number of student and care worker family members is a further unknown/unmonitored factor in recruitment problems – as many dependent family members are themselves filling crucial roles.
As shown in the graph, the amount of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) compliance activity has also been increasing, although not at the rate expected given the increase in the number of sponsors. In the first quarter of 2024 there were 309 sponsor licence suspensions and 210 revocations.
As the data shows, once a sponsor licence is suspended based on UKVI allegations of breaches in sponsor conditions, it can be difficult to persuade UKVI the licence should not be revoked. The best policy for sponsors is to ensure ongoing compliance at all times.
Hopefully an incoming government will recognise the importance of overseas workers in filling skills gaps in the UK and not seek to put scoring political points above the needs of UK employers.
Kingsley Napley does not endorse any political party.
further information
If you have any queries in relation to the above issues or any other immigration matter, please contact a member of the immigration team.
Immigration Law Team
Suspension of the UK’s Refugee Family Reunion scheme: an afront to the principle of family unity
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (“SSHD”) Yvette Cooper has trained her crosshairs squarely on foreign national families in her recent announcement, declaring the suspension and reform of the refugee family reunion scheme and a review of “the application of Article 8 in the immigration and asylum system.” The suspension came with a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules today at 3pm.
What to do if you receive a civil penalty for illegal working
UKVI can issue a whopping fine of up to £60,000 to a company that is alleged to have employed someone illegally in the UK. The size of the fine is partly determined by whether the breach is a first for the business or not.
Why more Americans are seeking British citizenship in 2025
As political and economic uncertainties continue to shape the global landscape, a growing number of Americans are setting their sights on the United Kingdom, not just for travel or business, but for a new life altogether.
The UK Government’s plan for AI and the UK immigration White Paper
At the start of the year, the Prime Minister outlined the UK Government's vision for making the UK a global leader in AI innovation in its response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. But does the UK really have a competitive offering for AI talent?
EU nationals – top tips for applying for your Student visa this summer
For EU nationals looking to start university in the UK this year, we’ve set out some key issues to consider before applying for your Student visa.
Tech Nation Wins Tender to Continue as Endorsing Body for Global Talent Visa
Tech Nation has confirmed on its website that it has successfully been awarded the status of endorsing body for the UK’s Global Talent visa in digital technology for the next three years. This provides much-welcomed certainty for the Global Talent route which, in my view, is the jewel in the UK’s visa crown.
A back-up for those with US immigration difficulties – common issues when transferring staff to the UK
In a flurry of executive orders, the uncertainty created by the US administration’s approach to immigration has left many US businesses seeking options to retain high-valued migrant staff, especially after failed lotteries and quota issues. Invariably the UK figures prominently in the thinking of many businesses as a potential destination for staff who are at a dead-end from a US immigration perspective – either as a permanent or temporary relocation.
Linking skills with visas: why the UK must not repeat Australia’s mistakes
In our last blog on this topic, we looked at the Government’s announcement that it would publish a White Paper which will set out its plans to link the ability to sponsor migrant workers to training “people here in our country.” The White Paper is now imminent.
New extension scheme but there’s still no route to settlement for Ukrainian nationals in the UK
In response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces in February 2022, the UK government introduced various immigration routes for Ukrainian nationals seeking safety in the UK. However, recent updates to the Immigration Rules regarding the Long Residence route have made clear that time spent in the UK under the Ukraine Schemes no longer counts toward the 10-year qualifying period required for settlement.
Going nuclear - new immigration ideas needed for new energy
As the UK embarks on the construction of new energy infrastructure, most notably new nuclear power stations, industry insiders will be well aware of the stark challenges that face these projects.
Brexit: Five years on – A nation adrift
On Friday 31st January 2020 the UK officially left Europe via the Withdrawal Agreement. Five years on and it is difficult to look at the challenges the UK faces and not question whether it has been very problematic for the UK’s economy. Please indulge me to reflect on the last five years.
Timetable for full rollout of UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme
The announcement on the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme finally shed light on when it will be expanded to the remaining 83 other countries.
UK Immigration: a year in review and 2025 forecast unveiled
We are familiar with change in immigration but even for us, 2024 has been a monumental year.
Linking skills with visas? Just make sure the Immigration Skills Charge does what it says on the tin
In his speech last week, Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, announced plans to publish a White Paper which will link the ability to sponsor migrant workers to training “people here in our country”.
It used to be so straightforward – sponsor licence application refusals dramatically increase
When someone sets out a process and gives your instructions, you kind of expect when you follow the instructions to achieve the desired outcome, like assembling some flatpack furniture.
Unlocking potential: fresh ideas to attract fresh talent on the Global Talent visa
Nearly 10 months have passed since the Home Office put the contract to take over from Tech Nation as the Global Talent digital technology endorsing body out for tender, and we have been waiting for a meaningful update. We suspect that the old adage no news is good news probably doesn’t apply here.
International adoption: Growing families across borders – how to navigate bringing your child home to the UK
21 October to 27 October 2024 marks National Adoption Week in the UK, the aim of which is to recognise and highlight the importance of adoption and, also, to encourage more people to consider adoption as a way to build their family.
International surrogacy – key immigration considerations
Growing your family through international surrogacy comprises many legal and logistical aspects. Managing these, at what can be a very busy and emotional time, can be extremely challenging.
Timetable confirmed for full rollout of UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme
Today’s announcement on the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme finally sheds light when it will be expanded to the remaining 83 other countries.
100 Years of EU Immigration in the UK
Immigration has long been a part of Britain’s history, however the concept of documenting and restricting certain migrants is relatively new - having first been introduced at the turn of the 20th Century.
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
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