Work Permits, the UK government agency responsible for awarding
work permits, has decided to remove all IT jobs from its skills
shortage list. The decision means that overseas IT workers will not
be allowed to apply for fast-track visas to work in the UK. It will
take effect on 1st September.
The decision was made following a meeting of the Home Office
ITCE sector panel attended by the Professional Contractors Group
(PCG). The panel considered claims by the PCG that UK IT workers
were finding it increasingly difficult to find employment because
companies were ending contracts to employ overseas workers on
fast-visas for lower salaries.
After further discussions, the Home Office agreed that there is
no skills shortage and decided to end tier one applications. It was
announced that all IT work permit applications will have to show
that the job has been advertised in a national newspaper or a
relevant trade journal.
Overseas workers will still be allowed to apply for visas, but
under a different procedure that involves a “resident labour test.”
This means that they will have to demonstrate a higher level of
skill.
Jane Akshar, chairman of the PCG, characterised the decision as
“excellent news.” She added that the PCG has been able to work with
the government “to show clearly that [IT] skills are not in short
supply in the UK.”
The Home Office will review the state of the labour market and
reconsider its decision in three months.
