MAC responses mostly for cutting tier 1 to protect tier 2

[ArgieBee]

Professor Metcalf, chairman of the MAC, told the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday that the responses they had received so far for their consultation had mostly suggested cutting tier 1 to protect tier 2.

You can see the video on www.parliamentlive.tv.
[/u]

[*FC*]

Professor Metcalf, chairman of the MAC, told the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday that the responses they had received so far for their consultation had mostly suggested cutting tier 1 to protect tier 2.

You can see the video on www.parliamentlive.tv.
[/u]

Doesn't come to me as a surprise. The easier path to settlement is the one that would come under the axe ... !!

[ArgieBee]

It is probably because most responses came from employers or bodies representing employers. They obviously prefer employees tied to them than those that are free to move.

But tier 1 helps all employers not just the small percentage that are sponsors, and the MAC reports have shown that tier 1 are paid much more (and therefore pay much more taxes).

[letmec2006]

IMO I think we are all in the mentality of accepting the cuts in the number (gosh talking like the Brits) but where exactly does the axe fall is the question?? and when

Wonder will they take the whole idea of settlement away!!!

[ArgieBee]

That would please employers that prefer temporarily moving people to the UK and paying them less than Brits.

[ukswus]

Professor Metcalf, chairman of the MAC, told the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday that the responses they had received so far for their consultation had mostly suggested cutting tier 1 to protect tier 2.

You can see the video on www.parliamentlive.tv.
[/u]

Wonder if this means that extensions on Tier 1 are going to be cut BIG time, or perhaps no extensions will be allowed altogether.

Best for all of us here is to start thinking about Plan B- ie moving to other, more friendly countries. Also, need to spread the word among our fellows from our native countries who also want to apply for Tier 1, so that they don't repeat our mistake of moving here.

[geriatrix]

In the pipleine:
1. Permanent cap on Tier 1
2. Permanent cap on Tier 2

What may be proposed (hints from recent articles / speeches):
1. Cap on Tier 4 / more strict qualifying criteria.
2. Restrictions on entry of family members.
3. PBS for spouse entry.
4. Cap on settlement through PBS route.
5. Restrictions on Tier 2 (ICT).

Not to mention the review of Probationary Citizenship laws - perhaps because the coalition govt. doesn't believe that the law in its current form puts (enough) downward pressure to stem the number of immigrants becoming British citizens.

Anything untouched? ... Perhaps a cap on child births in the UK by non-EU migrants!

Non-EU migrants are the easiest targets (irrespective of whether they are high earners and tax contributors) when it comes to stemming the inflow. Pretty much nothing the politicians can do about the free movement of EU migrants and that leaves non-EU migrants as the only target group. Unfortunate ... but a reality!


regards

[*FC*]

Anything untouched? ... Perhaps a cap on child births in the UK by non-EU migrants!
regards

Cap on the number of Nectar points one can earn I guess .....

[ukswus]

Video on 11.41.30

"We have consulted thousands of companies, and NOT A SINLGLE ONE suggested that Tier 1 should be protected"

[geriatrix]

Video on 11.41.30

"We have consulted thousands of companies, and NOT A SINLGLE ONE suggested that Tier 1 should be protected"

Because on a Tier 1 the employee is free to leave the employer. But on a Tier 2, (un)friendly bond ties the two together!

Employers are at peace when employees, who they brought in to UK to earn a profit, do not have the choice to resign and jump to another employer. And if such a choice exists for an employee, the more difficult it is for the employee to qualify for it, the better it is for the employer.

Nothing surprising or unexpected!


regards

[ukswus]

Video on 11.41.30

"We have consulted thousands of companies, and NOT A SINLGLE ONE suggested that Tier 1 should be protected"

Because on a Tier 1 the employee is free to leave the employer. But on a Tier 2, (un)friendly bond ties the two together!

Employers are at peace when employees, who they brought in to UK to earn a profit, do not have the choice to resign and jump to another employer. And if such a choice exists for an employee, the more difficult it is for the employee to qualify for it, the better it is for the employer.

Nothing surprising or unexpected!

regards

I am not saying this is surprising. Just giving some additional evidence that Tier 1 is going to be hit big time.

[ukswus]

Video on 11.58

Nice. They are mentioning Australia and New Zealand as good examples that PBS should follow. I.e., emphasize employer-driven applications, pool system, etc.

How about giving immediate permanent residence, like immigrants to those countries get? Not exactly the approach you want to take here, eh?

[geriatrix]

Well, based on the recent hints in the articles and speeches, I think it is not just Tier 1 but the entire PBS that will be shaken - given the govt.'s intention to stem the immigration numbers.

But that's me, thinking / speculating!


regards

[letmec2006]

Prof says "the difficulty with operating on the outflow is that the difficult in implementing that in 'short term' and the 'legitimate expectation' of the migrant for settlement"

They do consider the expectation of the immigrant to settle and do consider not to implement any measures immediately.

He is talking about the migrants already in country to be influenced by 2013 and 2014 by some means. But they are difinetely thinking about some measures to be in place for settlement visas.

[wunder]

Wonder if this means that extensions on Tier 1 are going to be cut BIG time, or perhaps no extensions will be allowed altogether.

Best for all of us here is to start thinking about Plan B- ie moving to other, more friendly countries. Also, need to spread the word among our fellows from our native countries who also want to apply for Tier 1, so that they don't repeat our mistake of moving here.

Stop spreading panic without a good reason! So far they didn't even mention any caps for people already in the system.

[ukswus]

Wonder if this means that extensions on Tier 1 are going to be cut BIG time, or perhaps no extensions will be allowed altogether.

Best for all of us here is to start thinking about Plan B- ie moving to other, more friendly countries. Also, need to spread the word among our fellows from our native countries who also want to apply for Tier 1, so that they don't repeat our mistake of moving here.

Stop spreading panic without a good reason! So far they didn't even mention any caps for people already in the system.

Panic is non-constructive. Suggestion to have a plan B in case the worst outcome happens (which is quite likely, from all signals) is constructive. Moreover, if enough people do that, this may send a message to the government. You see, the problem with MAC consultation is that they only consulted business. Nobody listens to the immigrants.

I'd personally rather have plan B, than be kicked out of the country in the last minute, with nowhere to go.

[mtuckersa]

Its very simple. The government have the answer already, ie cut immigrant numbers, but they need to find the question to fit their answer. The question is simple. Go ask companies if they need Tier 1 and at the same time indicate that their is an alternative Tier 2 which locks them to their company. Now you have the question and the answer that you want and a reason to cut immigrant numbers.

[dev106]

does any one know when they are going to disclose the new changes on Tier-1/2/4??????

[letmec2006]

Teir 1 is not being protected compared with Teir2 , MAC would recommend stringent measures for

1. Students
2. Workers
3. Families

They would try to cut the link between work and settlement in the long term.

Watching the company reps on ICT visas. they are totally opposed to the fact of bringing in a cap on that. They even threaten the select committee that the business would move away from the UK.

[geriatrix]

Its very simple. The government have the answer already, ie cut immigrant numbers, but they need to find the question to fit their answer. The question is simple. Go ask companies if they need Tier 1 and at the same time indicate that their is an alternative Tier 2 which locks them to their company. Now you have the question and the answer that you want and a reason to cut immigrant numbers.

Spot on!


regards

[letmec2006]

Its very simple. The government have the answer already, ie cut immigrant numbers, but they need to find the question to fit their answer. The question is simple. Go ask companies if they need Tier 1 and at the same time indicate that their is an alternative Tier 2 which locks them to their company. Now you have the question and the answer that you want and a reason to cut immigrant numbers.

Spot on!


regards

Yes but the reason why we should be worried about is how are they going to execute the plan to cut numbers.

A are they going to cut the inflow by putting tight restrictions on different routes in the first place

or B courage outflow by tighter measures for people who are already in the country like breaking the link between work visa and settlement.

[mtuckersa]

No doubt they will cut numbers but because this is a sensitive topic for the govt, I would guess that it would be a staged process. First stage they cap the numbers of non EU workers coming in(ie initial applications). This would most likely affect Tier 1. At the same time they may introduce a system whereby work does not necessarily mean it leads to permanent settlement. Once they have done the capping and some time has past they may look at other measures to reduce numbers. Bear in mind these things go in cycles, in about 3 or 4 years they will probably make the PBS alot easier cos they desparately need skilled people and numbers have dropped off.

Again its all speculation...no point in losing sleep over it

[Vitavi]

MAC is supposed to publish their review on Tier 1 and Tier 2 route on 20th September. After that it would become more clear as to what is going to happen.

My own view is that MAC would recommend tighting earning criteria for existing Tier 1 holders whilist living Tier 2 mostly unchanged. It is very obvious from the current economic environment that earnings of over £35,000 are difficult to achhieve. Therefore, requiring Tier 1 holders to earn much more than when they originally applied for their visas, would reduce the number of those visa holders by about 2/3, living only those in the country who earn more than the average Brit does.

[rkrohela]

Hi Guys,

Couldn't find that video on the parliament live site, could anyone post the full link please?

Cheers

[ArgieBee]

The MAC tier 1 report had a graph showing that most under the previous HSMP earned more than £40k when they applied for ilr.

The definition they use for highly skilled work is those being paid in the top 10% I.e. about £46k. If you are being paid less than that then you are probably not considered highly skilled.