The UK government is reshaping its immigration policies with a greater emphasis on attracting highly skilled workers. Recent announcements indicate a move away from lower-skilled immigration, with the Home Secretary stating that “up to 50,000 fewer lower-skilled workers will come to the UK under new measures aimed at tackling net migration.” This shift could have notable implications for UK-based freelancers, particularly those in sectors now prioritised as “highly skilled.”
Lifting the level for skilled workers
The government is lifting the level for skilled workers back to RQF 6 (Graduate level) and above. Salary thresholds will rise.
New requirements will be put on employers to boost domestic training, said the Home Office. This will put an “end to the reliance on international recruitment, restoring order to a failed system that saw net migration quadruple between 2019 and 2023.”
The government’s white paper said these revised policies will include “increasing places to our scheme for research interns, making it easier for top scientific and design talent to use our Global Talent visa, and reviewing our Innovator Founder visa and High Potential Individual route to maximise their benefit to the UK economy.”
Impact on short-supply roles
Currently, the Immigration Salary List (ISL) includes roles facing shortages, such as carpenters, graphic designers, and pharmaceutical technicians. Placement on this list allows employers to sponsor overseas workers at a reduced salary, set at 80% of the standard market rate.
For example, for graphic and multimedia designers, the standard going rate is listed as £30,960 per year, which equates to approximately £15.88 per hour. The lower rate, applicable in certain circumstances for sponsored workers, is £25,100 per year, or roughly £12.87 per hour. These figures are based on a 37.5-hour working week and may be prorated for different working patterns.
This discrepancy between the standard and lower rates has potentially created a more competitive market for UK graphic design freelancers, as businesses could opt for overseas talent at a lower cost when sponsoring a role.
Opportunities for highly skilled freelancers
With the government’s renewed focus on “highly skilled workers,” freelancers possessing sought-after expertise may find themselves in a stronger negotiating position. As the supply of lower-cost overseas labour potentially decreases in certain skilled areas, the demand for qualified UK-based freelancers could rise. This could lead to increased opportunities and potentially higher rates for those with in-demand skills.
The changes aim to address net migration figures, but the focus on skilled immigration suggests a recognition of the need for specialist expertise within the UK workforce.
For freelancers in these high-skill areas, this policy shift could present a positive change in the market. It will also keep freelancers in these roles on their toes when it comes to standing their ground on their worth.
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