What are the options for future EU migration to the UK for work? Lords to hear evidence
On Wednesday 20th February the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee will investigate the options for future EU migration to the UK for work in a one-off evidence session. The Committee will question representatives from the Institute for Economic Affairs, the Migration Observatory and the Institute for Public Policy Research.
The Government's Immigration White Paper says that the “future system will apply in the same way to all nationalities – EU and non-EU citizens alike – except where there are objective grounds to differentiate”. The Committee will consider where differentiation may be beneficial, including whether offering preferential treatment to EU nationals could increase the likelihood of securing reciprocal treatment for UK nationals in the EU.
The Committee will also explore the implications of proposed changes to the Tier 2 skilled worker visa route, such as the lowering of the skills level and reviewing salary thresholds.
The Government's ‘no deal' arrangements for EU nationals entering the UK to visit, work, or study after 29 March 2019 under a transitional European Temporary Leave to Remain system will also be examined, including whether these provisions will ensure stability for the UK labour market.
The session will begin at 10:45am in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords. The Committee will hear evidence from:
- Dr Kristian Niemietz, Head of Political Economy, Institute for Economic Affairs
- Madeleine Sumption MBE, Director of the Migration Observatory, University of Oxford
- Marley Morris, Senior Research Fellow and Brexit Lead, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
Questions the Committee may ask:
- What is your assessment of the Government's proposal to create a time-limited route for temporary short-term workers to come to the UK for a maximum of 12 months, as a transitional measure after Brexit?
- Is there a case for offering preferential treatment under the new system to EEA nationals coming to the UK as self-employed workers, either generally, or in certain sectors?
- How will the skilled worker proposals outlined in the Immigration White Paper affect levels of migration of EEA nationals to the UK for work in the long-term?
- What is your assessment of the Government's policy to lower the skills threshold for the new skilled route to include some medium-skilled workers?
- Do you think the Government's planned European Temporary Leave to Remain system for EU nationals in a ‘no deal' scenario will ensure stability for the UK labour market?
