October 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference is bringing together key stakeholders with policymakers to discuss developments and next steps for the UK immigration system.
The agenda:
- The Migration Advisory Committee’s review into shortage occupations - key findings
- The UK’s immigration rules - key findings from the Law Commission
- Supporting immigrants and their rights at a time of change
- The new points-based immigration system - impact, and ensuring that the system works effectively for individuals, communities and the economy
- Designing an immigration system that works for all parts of the UK
- Operational implications of ending free movement
- Enforcing new immigration rules and criteria
- Implementing the points-based immigration system
Discussion areas at a glance:
- the points-based immigration system:
- practicalities:
- implementation - priorities and remaining issues for introduction of the system in January 2021
- the criteria - examining the requirements including in the areas of English language ability, qualifications, salary, the job offer and sponsor, and areas of skills shortage
- recruitment:
- international talent - priorities for UK businesses, with concerns over the initially-proposed salary level, and the absence of a route for workers with lower skills and pay
- shortage occupations - the effect on sectors such as social care, particularly in light of pressures on the sector following the COVID-19 pandemic
- levelling up:
- across sectors and across the UK - looking at how a reformed system can best cater for all parts of the UK economy and the different regions and nations
- local issues and solutions - the likely impact of the new system, options and strategies for locally-focused skills gaps to be filled, and attracting skilled workers to live and work outside London
- the Law Commission’s immigration rule reforms:
- impact - assessing the recommendations put forward by the Law Commission to simplify the immigration rules, the response from government
- the proposals - shorter, redrafted guidelines to improve accessibility and ease of use, and the effect on immigration practitioners
- seasonal workers:
- the Seasonal Workers Pilot - assessing implementation and early indications of progress in meeting workforce demands for key sectors such as construction, agriculture, and hospitality
- COVID-19 - the likely impact on meeting workforce demand in these areas of the economy
- higher education - UK university access to global talent as a result of reform
- enforcement and irregular migration
- border control and international co-operation - including new technology expected to be introduced and the UK’s potential withdrawal from the Schengen Information System
- online application process and checks - the EU Settlement Scheme and the European Temporary Leave to Remain Scheme and the practicalities, record so far and prospects for the future
Relevant developments:
- The UK's points-based immigration system: policy statement - the Government’s announcement that it will introduce a new points-based immigration system from January 2021
- Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill - continuing its passage through Parliament, which will end freedom of movement arrangements with the European Union
- Shortage occupation list - the recently concluded consultation by the MAC on medium skilled roles, with a final list expected soon
- Simplifying the Immigration Rules: a response - following the Law Commission’s report
- irregular migration:
- refugees - the Home Secretary promising new legislation to reform the asylum system and make quicker decisions, following increasing attempts to travel to the UK from mainland Europe
- ongoing Brexit negotiations - prospects for agreement for reuniting asylum seekers with families under the Dublin Regulation at the end of the transition period
- Home Secretary appoints small boat commander - the new Clandestine Channel Threat Commander role to lead the UK’s response to managing boat crossings across the channel
- Annual inspection of ‘Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention’ - the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s call for evidence ahead of their report, examining the effectiveness of changes made in response to COVID-19 following the first report earlier this year
- Home Secretary announces details of the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa
- net migration levels in Scotland - the Expert Advisory Group on migration and population suggesting the new immigration rules could risk labour shortages, particularly in areas such as food production
Policy officials attending:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and officials from the Home Office; the Migration Advisory Committee Secretariat; the Ministry of Justice; BEIS; the Department of Education; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; HM Revenue & Customs; the Office of the Sentencing Council; UKRI; Academi Wales; the Department for the Economy NI and The Scottish Government. Also due to attend are representatives from the Aberystwyth University; Associated Seafoods; Association of Translation Companies; Atkins Global; BPP University; Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants; Bristol University; Browne Jacobson; Capital Law; Charles Russell Speechlys; Chevening; Citizens Advice Southend; DAS Law; Devon and Cornwall Police; Dunbia; Eversheds Sutherland; Goldstar Chefs; ICAEW; Kaplan International; Kemp Little; Kingsley Napley; L'Oreal; L'Oreal UK; Latitude Law; Law Commission; Maurice Turnor Gardner; Mayfair Legal; McGill & Co; Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality; Serco - Justice and Immigration; Spinal Injuries Association; Tendring District Council; The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner; The University of Edinburgh; University of Birmingham; University of Exeter and UWE Bristol.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference