Navigating the Future of Recruitment in U.K.’s Hospitality Amid Tighter Immigration Rules

New Immigration Rules: U.K. Hospitality Industry in Spotlight

Terence Baker of CoStar reports that the U.K. government’s recent announcement of stringent immigration rules and increased costs for immigrants and employers is causing concern in hospitality and other industries that heavily rely on immigrants as employees. The regulations are set to influence the workforce and recruitment strategies within these industries.

Proposed Immigration Changes and Their Potential Impact

According to a white paper titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” the new rules will mandate higher education levels, enhanced skill sets, improved language requirements, and restrictions on dependents and family members of successful immigration candidates. These changes could significantly impact the U.K. hospitality industry, which has been flexible in its recruitment strategies since Brexit in January 2020.

In response to voter apprehensions, the U.K. government aims to reduce immigration by 100,000 per year by 2029. While industry leaders have expressed concern about this proposal, it is crucial for employers to understand the potential implications and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Exploring Domestic Labour and Current Employee Retention

Industry experts recommend that employers explore the potential of hotel employees who already reside legally in the U.K. Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, urges the U.K. government to enhance and expand the domestic apprenticeship scheme program before passing the legislation. Nicholls believes this is particularly important for the hospitality industry, which is not traditionally seen as a viable career path in the U.K.

Understanding the New Immigration Landscape

Jonathan Beech, managing director of immigration-law specialists Migrate UK, says the proposed legislation could make it harder than ever to recruit much-needed staff in areas such as hospitality. Beech suggests that hoteliers must familiarize themselves with their current employees’ immigration statuses and investigate which immigrant groups can legally work in the U.K.

Increased Costs and Higher Hurdles for Immigrants

The new plan would require immigrants to have an increased skill level known as Regulated Qualifications Framework 6, equivalent to a university graduate level. This is a significant increase from the current level, RQF3, equivalent to a high school education. The timeline for immigrants to apply for settled status in the U.K. will also increase from five years to ten years, consequently increasing the cost to employers due to additional years of sponsorship.

Balancing Needs and Looking to the Future

U.K. hoteliers and employers will need to focus on making training, work conditions, and salaries more attractive to those already able to work in the U.K. As these changes unfold, the interaction of migration policy, career choice, and legal employment sources will become clearer. The newly created Labour Market Evidence Group will attempt to align different areas of government policy to ensure a sufficient workforce in nationally important industries.

Final Thoughts

As the U.K. government’s proposed immigration changes loom, industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor, such as hospitality, must prepare for a new recruitment landscape. By improving working conditions, increasing training, and exploring the potential of current employees, these industries can navigate these changes effectively.

Discover more at CoStar.