In this video we look at reforms to the UK’s immigration system following our exit from the European Union
Net migration figures of the United Kingdom from 1980 to 2019 (in 1,000s)
First, some important context on the scale of emigration (outward movement) and immigration (inward movement) in the UK. Over the last forty years there has been a significant rise in both emigration and immigration. Net migration is the balance between the two figures, and it reached an annual peak of 343,000 in 2015, just a year before the EU referendum. Since then, net migration has declined dropping to 226,000 in 2019 according to the most recent data.
Net migration figures of the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2019 (in 1,000s), by citizenship
There has been a steep drop in net migration into the UK from other EU countries in the years since there referendum. Indeed the figure in 2019 (59,000) was lower than the level in 2008 (63,000) in the year of the Global Financial Crisis. This context is important. Net migration from the EU has been dropping for some time. Will it continue under the new points-based system favoured by the Home Office?
Key Basics on the New Immigration System
New rules take effect from January 2021 after the transition period
Free movement enshrined as members of the EU comes to an end
Workers will need seventy (70) points to enter the UK
All EU and non-EU citizens, will need to demonstrate they have a
(i) job offer from an approved sponsor (employer)
(ii) that the job offer is at the required skill level
(iii) that they speak English
Students will also be covered by the points-based system and they can stay on in the UK for two years following the completion of their full-time studies.
