Permits Foundation has responded to the UK Government Earned Settlement Consultation and we urge our network to respond too.
The Foundation is extremely concerned that under the proposals, family members could be placed onto separate settlement timelines stretching up to and beyond 10 years. Employers, looking to offset this could face longer-term administrative burden, enhanced relocation packages, and greater retention risks. Longer settlement timelines also extend sponsorship obligations and multiply visa and health surcharge payments. As a result, the UK, when seeking to attract talent, may ultimately lose out to destinations in the EU and beyond, where pathways to settlement for both employee and dependant are less complicated and are predictable (up to 5 years).
Permits Foundation carries out international surveys, both of employers, and of accompanying spouses/partners. This evidence base informs our work, reflecting the views of companies with a highly-skilled international workforce. Our research shows that accompanying partners are predominantly women (over 75%), are themselves likely to be highly qualified (88% with a bachelor’s degree or higher) and with experience in a range of sectors. Though they want to work, these dependants often take longer to enter into the labour market e.g. when arriving in the UK at a later date, establishing the family or in seeking employment opportunities. The earned settlement proposals risk putting accompanying family members at an unfair disadvantage, whereas their in-country talent should be welcomed.
Family conditions impact employee experience and company ability to attract, retain and move talent. Families considering an international move take the decision as a unit, they seek clarity and assurance. In our submission we make the recommendation that dependants of (highly) skilled international employees retain predictable (up to 5 year) settlement routes, can settle at the same time as the main applicant, or be eligible for expedited settlement. These dependants should be exempt from having to meet additional requirements e.g. salary or language levels. We also underline that families already on a settlement route in the UK should be exempt.
The government consultation is available here, deadline to respond is 12 February, 11.59pm UK time.