Fees paid by UK employers to take on migrant workers will be increased by up to £30 per employee, under new plans unveiled by the Home Office.
The rises, set to be introduced in June, will see businesses pay between £155 to £180 to process work applications and permits for each overseas worker.
As reported by Startups.co.uk, the government started charging firms £150 per migrant worker last October under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), in an attempt to cut the amount of public money spent on accepting foreign staff.
The Home Office also announced proposals to allow employers to recover fees from migrant workers who extend their stay under the work permit scheme. Firms will be able to recoup between £95 to £125 from employees who are allowed to stay on in their jobs.
A 12-week consultation on the issue has now been opened, with businesses encouraged to give their views on the scheme to the government.
The increase in application and permit fees is unlikely to be warmly received by small firms, who already complain that the employment process is burdened with red tape and high costs.
Employing skilled workers from overseas is seen by some UK employers as an attractive option to combat the chronic lack of skills in their workforces.
An estimated eight million UK employees do not have the necessary skills to do their job, a problem deemed by both business groups and trade unions to be holding back the economy.
Beverley Hughes, Home Office minister, said that it’s in all our interests to harness the innovation, skills and productivity that new migrants can bring.
“However, these benefits are reciprocal. It’s only right that businesses who derive benefits from recruiting overseas workers pay the administrative costs of processing application, rather than tax payers.
“This brings us into line with other countries such as America, Australia and Canada who charge fees for work permits varying from £500 to £1,000.
“Having regulated but flexible managed migration policy is fundamental to our balanced approach to immigration – gaining public trust by tackling abuses in the asylum system while welcoming legal migrants who can boost our economy and society,” she said.
To contribute towards to consultation on the new fees, click on www.workingintheuk.gov.uk