IMMIGRATION NEWS WEEKLY ROUNDUP 1st NOVEMBER 2024

The October 2024 Labour budget was this week's focal point, introducing wide-ranging fiscal measures that, whilst not directly targeting migration policies, are poised to significantly influence the landscape of international recruitment and overseas talent acquisition in the United Kingdom.

Notably, the government has maintained its budget allocation for tackling illegal migration through a newly developed security command, whilst simultaneously emphasising its commitment to reducing reliance on foreign labour through enhanced domestic skills development programmes, particularly in construction and healthcare sectors.

The budget's ripple effects extend deeply into the education sector, where the introduction of 20% VAT on private school fees from January 2025 is expected to reshape international student demographics. This substantial change will see day private school fees potentially surge from ￡16,500 to ￡20,000 annually, with boarding fees facing an additional increase of up to ￡8,000 per year. Research indicates this could particularly impact Chinese families, with 60% indicating potential deterrence and 9% actively considering alternative education destinations such as the United States and Canada. This shift, coupled with recent changes to post-study work visas and university admission policies, may significantly affect the UK's standing in the global education market.

For businesses engaged in sponsoring overseas workers, the budget introduces several crucial fiscal adjustments. Capital Gains Tax rates are set to increase, with the standard rate rising to 18% and the higher rate to 24%. Additionally, Business Asset Disposal Relief rates will see a gradual increase from 10% to 18% by April 2026. Perhaps most significantly for employers, National Insurance Contributions will rise to 15% from April 2025, though this is somewhat mitigated by an increased Employment Allowance. These changes necessitate careful consideration in recruitment strategies and salary structures for organisations employing international talent.

Despite these policy initiatives, the government faces ongoing challenges in managing illegal migration, with Channel crossings surpassing 2023's total figures. Since Labour's assumption of office in July, 16,336 individuals have made the perilous journey across the Channel, notwithstanding the implementation of the "smash the gangs" policy. While this initiative has led to arrests and equipment seizures, it has yet to demonstrate substantial impact on crossing numbers. The gravity of this situation was tragically highlighted this weekend when a 40-year-old man of Indian heritage suffered a fatal cardiac arrest minutes after departing French shores, as his vessel, carrying approximately 50 people, experienced deflation.

In a more positive development, the Home Office has announced significant modernisation of its refugee documentation system. From 31 October 2024, Biometric Residence Permit cards will be phased out in favour of eVisas, with newly recognised refugees receiving their UKVI account and eVisa within 14 days of approval. This transition, as outlined by Lord Hanson of Flint, represents a crucial step towards the government's ambitious goal of establishing a 'digital by default' border and immigration system by 2025, though comprehensive implementation details remain forthcoming.

In such a fast paced and dynamic environment, staying informed and up-to-date is more crucial than ever for legal professionals working in immigration law. This is where a subscription to Mastering Immigration Lawproves invaluable.? By providing the most current information and detailed explanations of rules, it adds significant value to everyday casework. Moreover, subscribers gain access to generous discounts on live online courses, ensuring continuous professional development (CPD) in this ever-evolving field.

The rapid pace of change in immigration law, as evidenced by this week's developments, demands firm commitment to professional development. With increased regulatory scrutiny of immigration representatives, there's simply no room for knowledge gaps in delivering the highest quality of care and advice to clients.

?As 2024 draws to a close, HJT Training stands ready to support practitioners with a comprehensive suite of educational offerings. Our upcoming live online Self-Sponsorship scheme course addresses the complexities highlighted in recent sponsor licence cases. To round off 2024, our Judicial Review Conference offers timely insights into cases like CAO, whilst the Birmingham Immigration Law Conference 2025 promises to equip advisers with the tools needed to tackle whatever challenges the new year may bring.

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For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, visit our blog here