'Level playing field' for UK workers

Wednesday 19th August 2009

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) outlined proposals to "level the playing field" between UK and non-EU migrant workers today.

The committee's report highlighted recommendations to increase the time jobs are advertised in the UK first, as well as raising the earnings threshold for gaining 'points'.

The committee, chaired by professor David Metcalf, said it was important workers in the UK were not "displaced", and called for stricter regulation for employers of Tier two non-EU workers.

Government advisors said while the government's Points Based System (PBS) was working well, there was a need to make changes to the existing system. They suggested jobs be advertised in the UK for four weeks, rather than the current two, to allow UK citizens to apply for jobs before they are advertised outside of the EU.

To tighten the 'intra-company transfer route', the committee also recommended workers coming from outside the EU should have their qualifying period with the company abroad extended from six to 12 months. They said by doing so British workers would be given a more "realistic" time frame to apply for a skilled job.

Prof Metcalf said: "In our first analysis of the PBS, the committee thinks that Tier two is working well, but our advice to the government is that the labour market could be helped by requiring higher standards from skilled workers outside of the EU before we allow them to work in the UK."

He added it was important those currently working in the UK were not "displaced", and the recommendations put forward today aimed to "avoid undercutting and any disincentives to raise the skills of UK workers".

It was also noted in the report the issue of allowances income, with salary paid in the home nation being given to non-EU workers in the UK together with daily allowances making it cheaper for employers to employ those outside of the UK. The MAC therefore suggested allowances could eventually be "down graded".

In terms of change to the current Tier two operation, the committee recommended the government increase the points awarded for those with a masters degree, and that a requirement for migrant workers outside of the EU to earn £20,000 and workers without qualifications to earn at least £32,000 be instigated.

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