Brexit – the story for employers so far
The UK electorate voted to leave the European Union in a referendum on 23 June 2016. The legal process for exiting the EU began when the UK notified of its intention to withdraw under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on 29 March 2017. The UK and the EU had two years to decide on the terms of the withdrawal, particularly the extent of the UK’s access to the single market versus the degree to which EU workers retain freedom of movement to the UK.
On 21 March 2019, eight days before the scheduled departure date, the EU offered to delay Brexit until 22 May if MPs approve the deal that has been negotiated. If they could not, a no-deal Brexit would happen on 12 April.
On 11 April, the EU allowed a “flexible extension” to 31 October 2019. Boris Johnson, who took over as prime minister in July, had vowed to leave the EU by that date “do or die”, having negotiated a new deal with the EU. However on 28 October 2019, the EU agreed to extend Brexit again, this time to 31 January 2020.
Our Brexit pages provide news and guidance on all aspects of the UK’s exit from the EU.
‘Office for Talent’ to improve immigration experience
The government has created a new ‘Office for Talent’ to make it easier for scientists, researchers and innovators to settle...
Business pressure grows to relax two-metre advice
Prime minister urged to reduce social distancing advice in line with WHO minimum of one metre and CBI warns that Covid-19 measures mean UK business will not survive no-deal Brexit.
Cut national insurance to stimulate jobs market – IES
Rishi Sunak should cut employers’ national insurance contributions for all staff if he announces an emergency Budget next month.
Civil Service praised for agility amid extreme Brexit pressure
Brexit proved the service could be agile and has led to a focus on employee wellbeing. But it also soured relationships with ministers.
Immigration Bill is ‘not fair and not in the national interest’
Labour accuses government of undervaluing people in low paid jobs in the health and social care sector and says immigration bill will make them feel unwelcome in this country.
Only 2% of businesses licenced to hire migrant workers from next year
Organisations still hoping to apply for a sponsor licence before the end of the year are 'cutting applications to the wire'.
Huge rise in crop-picking job searches
Indeed, Monster and TotalJobs report surge in farm-related job searches from within the UK.
Coronavirus to put downward pressure on wage growth
Employers expect pay increases to remain low in the year ahead, as they consider the financial impact the coronavirus outbreak...
Ten key points about the sponsor licence system
Gaining a sponsor licence will be crucial for many organisations under the new immigration system; but it can be a complex procedure.
Top 10 HR questions February 2020: Coronavirus and right-to-work checks
How to respond to the risk of the spread of coronavirus is the subject of February’s most popular FAQs.
Employers...
EU immigration hits 15-year low, adding to business skills fears
Non-EU immigration has increased again but is driven by people - predominantly from Asia - coming to study.
Points-based immigration: five things employers can do now
Employers have been advised not to panic in reaction to the newly published details on the proposed points-based immigration system...
UK’s immigration rules could create low-skilled worker ‘black market’
The government’s points-based immigration rules could increase the risk of worker exploitation, human trafficking and modern slavery by criminal gangs,...
Points-based immigration scheme shuts out low-skilled workers
Low-skilled workers would not get a visa under the government’s proposed points-based immigration scheme, details of which have been published...
Fall in visa applications triggers skills warning for private sector
Business consultancy warns of skills shortfall as number of visa applications from non-EU skilled workers has fallen.
