Last month, the Government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), with the purpose of conducting a study about and advising upon the economic and social impacts of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. Following the Home Secretary's commissioning letter last week, the MAC has released a Call of Evidence, from anyone with relevant knowledge, expertise or experience to aid the MAC response. Within this, are set out a collection of enquiries in relation to the possible impact of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union and how the United Kingdom immigration system could be aligned with a modern industrial strategy. A deadline of 27 October 2017 has been realised for such responses to be received.
What is the Call of Evidence:
This is a document which asks for replies from the public, that the MAC will review as part of its response to the Home Office’s commissioning paper. It asks questions rather than answers them. It is combined with a briefing note which holds some early analysis on the UK labour market and the migration systems of other countries by way of comparison.
What does it cover?
The Call for Evidence is split into three main categories of questions;
- EEA Migration Trends i.e to provide evidence on the characteristics of EEA migrants in particular sectors and how these differ from UK workers.
- Recruitment Practises, Training and Skills i.e to what extent has EEA and non-EEA migration affected the skills and training of UK workers.
- Economic, Social and Fiscal Impacts i.e what are the economic, social and fiscal costs and benefits of EEA migration to the UK economy.
The questions are fairly broadly drafted, and provide a general suggestion of the information that the MAC would find most beneficial, even though the public are invited to provide to the MAC any other appropriate information, together with data and examples where possible.
What does this mean for Employers?
This consultation could have noteworthy ramifications for dealings in a post-Brexit immigration system. In particular, this is key for those businesses who bank on staffing from the EEA, in circumstances where settled staff in the United Kingdom cannot be found, with the requisite skills.
If this is the case for you, or your business, you should respond to the consultation in as much detail as possible, setting out what effect a constraint of your ability to recruit and retain EEA nationals would have on your business! We can help.