Quick thoughts on immigration white paper. Whatever you think of policy - it’s probably one of/the best Brexit white paper in terms of detail/supporting analysis, it swerves a couple of very very tricky or very very political issues 
The white paper dodges the question of net migration target (as Sajid Javid tried to on the radio) by not mentioning it but cross referring to the Conservative Party manifesto… which does have 100,000 target.
It also dodges what happens after March 2019 if there is no deal? DExEU have said what happens to citizens already in UK, nothing yet from govt on EU citizens arriving after Mar19
On what the WP does say – for workers it takes the current non-EU system and strips back a lot of the restrictions applied by Theresa May as Home Secretary – the pretty pointless cap, labour market test and increased skill threshold. Salary threshold still there though
All of that will be seen as a big win for business who never liked them. Big concerns likely for low skilled migration, though. HO reckon half the EU citizens currently in the EU wouldn’t qualify for this new skilled route.
But Home Office has tried to allay concerns with a 12 month temporary work visa – available at all skill levels, ability to move between jobs.
This visa available to ‘low risk countries’ – read EU, 5-eyes and those from Japan/S.Korea/Singapore – and will have no access to benefits/rights to extend/switch routes. Will be reviewed in 2025 to see if it gets scrapped.
It will be easier for students to stay – more time to look for jobs after their degree
There is still an aspiration for the system to be self-funded, which means fees continue. Also more money for Home Office with the new ESTA style ETA for border.
There is still an aspiration for the system to be self-funded, which means fees continue. Also more money for Home Office with the new ESTA style ETA for border.
Interesting they say they will set out what has been done with the so-called ‘Skills Charge’ – I’ve never found anyone who can tell me definitvely where it goes. But apparently it goes to DfE and the devolveds?!
There is an enhanced role for MAC – although TBC what that actually means – reflecting the fact the White Paper just swallows their recommendations whole – 21/22 recommendations fully accepted, the remaining one ‘partially accepted’
The border will remain as it is broadly – no visas for EU citizens and they can use e-Gates – in line with IfG recommendation from 2017. With new ETA style authorisation to speed up processes, improve data/security and £££
Big review of the sponsorship system – which is currently complicated/expensive/burdensome and geared towards bigger organisations. The HO also need to review as current system is probably too resource intensive.
Self-employed question is dodged. There is continued arrangements for the ‘exceptional talent’, view is that the 1-year temp visa does your ‘gig economy’ stuff, but self-employed plumbers etc are much much harder to cover & no answer yet
On the compliance section (i.e. previous known as hostile environment) there is definitely a different tone to previous enforcement documents from 2007 onwards – talking about vulnerable individuals etc. Recognition of the EU settlement scheme nightmare coming…
WithSome v interesting stuff in Annex. Home Office analysts reckon this policy would reduce EU migration by 80%. Also think EU migration will be NET NEGATIVE from 2021 – 2024. With up to £4bn fiscal impact by 2025
Finally…Few signs of last minute rushes on pg 134 and 135
