On 22 February 2009, the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith unveiled three
significant changes to the Points Based System (PBS) that will be effective
from 1 April 2009. These are:
- All vacancies that have to meet the Resident Labour Market Test under Tier
2 of the PBS must be advertised in Job Centre Plus. Previously, job vacancies
were advertised in a suitable and relevant newspaper, journal or internet
website. The implications of this could be far reaching as employers may
receive countless job applications.
- All applicants wishing to come to the UK using Tier 1 of PBS will only be
eligible for points if they have a masters degree and earn a minimum of
£20,000. Previously, applicants had to have a bachelors degree and the minimum
qualifying salary was £16,000. This will have a detrimental effect on the
potential routes by which migrant workers can come to the UK to work as it
significantly raises the bar on a popular immigration category.
- Shortage occupations under Tier 2 of PBS will be reviewed and attempts will
be made to 'upskill' resident workers so that sourcing migrant workers from
outside of the UK will not be necessary.
In addition, the Home Secretary is also asking the Migration Advisory
Committee, chaired by Professor David Metcalf to consider:
- the contributions made by dependants under the PBS;
- whether jobs under Tier 2 of PBS should be restricted to Shortage
Occupations only; and
- whether there should be further changes to Tier 1 in the current economic
climate.
New immigration rules will be laid before Parliament shortly. These will
include changes to the business visitor category specifically to clarify
training and secondments.
