Key Facts

• Significant numbers of EEA nationals are employed in agriculture on both permanent and seasonal bases.
• The Pick for Britain scheme had 35,000 applications but only 16% of applicants opted to interview after initial application.
• The pilot scheme allows for 10,000 visas when 70,000 would be closer to the agreed number required.
• FLEX (Focus on Labour Exploitation group) has raised concerns about worker exploitation in tied visas and debt bondage under future schemes.
• The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers estimates that 56% of dairy farmers in the UK have employed EU workers.
• Around 22,800 EU migrants make up the workforce in poultry farming.
• The NFU reports that 99% of all harvesters in the UK come from Europe.
• The seasonal worker pilot admits non-EU migrant workers to work in edible horticulture for up to six months.
• In March last year, the Government announced a nationwide pilot with an initial quota of 2,500 places.
• On February 19th, the annual quota was increased from 2,500 to 10,000 places.
• The new clause aims to ensure clarity on the scope of 'reciprocal rights' of the Common Travel Area.
• It requires a report specifying the scope of reciprocal rights under the CTA, retained EU rights and benefits, and the correlation between them.
• The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission highlights that the EU Settlement Scheme is enshrined in law through the withdrawal agreement, while the CTA relies on an informal gentlemen's agreement.
• The Common Travel Area (CTA) allows free movement between the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey.
• Both Governments signed a CTA memorandum of understanding on May 8, 2019.
• Clause 2 ensures Irish citizens can enter and remain in the UK without requiring permission, except in limited circumstances.
• The Minister has engaged in a fairly constructive manner.
• The SNP's hon. Member for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East raised points of concern.
• A desire and unanswered questions remain regarding the topic.
• The UK higher education sector attracts international students contributing £26 billion to the economy.
• In 2017-18, universities reported a £4.3 billion deficit in research income.
• There were 485,645 international students enrolled at UK universities in 2018-19.
• The impact assessment suggests up to 25,000 fewer EU higher education students by academic year 2024/25.
• Tuition fee income is estimated to increase between £1 billion and £2 billion over the first five years of the policy.
• The review should encompass student and staff recruitment.
• Universities are under immense pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Visa processing centres remain closed.
• Proposes extending the window of visa validity from three months to six months.
• Suggests waiving tier-4 visa fees for one year only.
• Asks to consider making online study compatible with the graduate route.
• The UK is one of the world’s leading destinations for international education with around 140,000 EU domiciled and 340,000 non-EU domiciled students enrolled in higher education institutions.
• The Higher Education Statistics Agency reports a 10% increase in the number of international students between 2014-15 and 2018-19.
• A new graduate route will be launched in summer 2021 to allow international graduates to remain in the UK for two years post study.
• The Government is negotiating a reciprocal agreement with the EU that would allow UK citizens to undertake some paid business activities in the EU without a work permit on a short-term basis.
• The creative sector contributes over £100 billion a year to the UK economy and employs over 3 million people according to the Confederation of British Industry.
• The music industry has long attracted world-class artists, but visa issues could cause major disruption if not resolved by the end of the transition period.
• Visitors can stay in the UK for up to six months and participate in various activities like conferences, research, training, maintenance, installations, audits, knowledge transfer, creative and sporting events.
• Non-visa nationals such as Canadians, Australians, Japanese, and New Zealanders are already allowed to engage in these activities without a visa.
• The Government is engaged with stakeholders to understand how the rules can be simplified and improved post-free movement.
• The new tier-2 procedures are causing significant apprehension among businesses.
• Multiple industry bodies have expressed concerns about accessing necessary labour under the new system.
• Hospitality, tourism, food and drink, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, financial services, social care, and education sectors are particularly affected.
• The new points-based system will treat everyone alike based on skills and contributions.
• Skill thresholds below those in the tier 2 system are being reduced.
• Resident Labour Market Test is abolished to reduce bureaucracy for employers.
• Shortage occupation lists recognise certain occupations needing workers through immigration.
• New clause 58 would provide automatic settled status for children in care and those entitled to care leaving support.
• Local authorities would no longer have to apply on behalf of these children to the EU Settlement Scheme.
• "Children in care" includes those living with foster parents, in residential homes, or similar settings.
• There are an estimated 5,000 looked-after children and 4,000 care leavers who need to apply for status before December 2020.
• Local authorities identified just 3,612 EU/EAA/Swiss looked-after children as of January 2020, with only 404 having settled their status.
• The process involves local authorities identifying eligible children, communicating with them, and providing necessary data to the Home Office for automatic granting of settled status.
• Edward Leigh thanks the Whip and other Committee members.
• Mr Stringer is chairing the Committee this afternoon.
• The Committee intends to report after which Edward Leigh will not see Committee members again.