Employers advised to apply now for licence to sponsor overseas workers once free movement ends
The Government has recently issued further clarification on how the employment landscape will change after the UK leaves the European Union next January
Even with the current Covid-19 pandemic at the top of the Government’s priority list, the Government has recently issued further clarification on how the employment landscape will change after the UK leaves the European Union next January. The existing points based system is being amended and extended to increase the opportunities for employing workers from abroad.
Free movement is due to end from 31 December 2020, with EU citizens becoming subject to the same Immigration Rules as non-EU citizens.
The Government have now confirmed that those employers who have registered as Tier 2 Sponsors may be able to sponsor and employ employees from outside the United Kingdom under a Tier 2 (General) work visa even if the potential employee only meets RQF level 3 rather than the current RQF level 6. In practice, this should mean that jobs which are considered to be A-level standard can be sponsored, instead of the Bachelor’s degree qualifications which are required now. As is the case now the issue of a certificate of sponsorship will be subject to the post to be filled attracting a minimum salary.
This presents a potential opportunity for those employers who are not currently registered as Tier 2 Sponsors. Employers should consider the merits of registration now so that they are ready to employ workers from outside the United Kingdom when the United Kingdom (finally) leaves the EU particularly as:-
- There will not be a general migration route specifically for those who do not meet the skills or salary threshold requirements. Therefore, there will be fewer low-skilled workers able to enter the UK. If your business relies heavily on these individuals to fill vacancies, these new measures will affect your recruitment strategy moving forward. Vacancies will have to be filled from an alternative source. There may be specific routes available to certain sectors outside the points based system such as the agricultural industry and the Youth Mobility Scheme appears to be unaffected
- The changes could also dissuade skilled workers from applying for UK jobs. That being the case, employers should look to promote from within the business by training and developing existing employees.
The changes should not affect EU citizens living in the UK by 31 December 2020 assuming they have applied for permission to live here.
Here at Leathes Prior, we have our Employment Team and expert Immigration Lawyers that can support your business with planning for the introduction of the Points-Based Immigration System – please contact us on 01603 610911 or email us here and we would be happy to discuss your bespoke circumstances with you.
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
Upcoming changes to bringing employment law claims: What these mean for you
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to increase the time limits in which employees can bring an employment tribunal claim. Gareth Stevens & Rose Woolterton explain what this means for employers & employees.
Service Charges in Residential Leases: FAQs
Service charges are forever a hot topic in the world of property disputes, and it remains one of the most contentious areas between freeholders and leaseholders, particularly in long residential leases. Danny Turpin, Associate, discusses frequently asked questions regarding service charges on long residential leases.
Leathes Prior winners in nine categories in the prestigious Legal 500 Future Laywer Survey
We are thrilled to announce that the firm has placed once again in the Legal 500 Future Lawyer survey as No.1 in the UK for our Social Life; a ranking we have held in the survey for seven years out of the past nine years.
Jess’s Rule – New Guidelines for GPs
A new initiative is being rolled out across GP practices across England in the hope of preventing serious illnesses being missed by GPs where patients present with the same, or deteriorating, symptoms on multiple occasions. Kimberley Nelson in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team discusses new guidelines for GPs.
Leathes Prior are excited to announce that four Trainee Solicitors qualify at the firm
Leathes Prior is excited to announce that four of our amazing trainees, Eleanor Chapman, Maggie Berry, Alex Robinson, and Georgia Sartin, have successfully completed their training contracts and are now qualifying as Solicitors at the firm.
