The Leader of the House of Commons has scheduled the government’s flagship Immigration and Asylum Bill for its second reading on Monday, 13 July. The announcement, published on 10 July in the weekly ‘Coming up in the Commons’ business statement, sets the stage for the Bill’s first full debate and vote and signals that immigration reform remains at the top of the legislative agenda before Parliament rises for its summer recess on 16 July. If the Bill passes its second reading it will move to committee stage immediately after the recess, allowing line-by-line scrutiny of measures that include earned-settlement rules, new removal powers, and expanded digital status checks. For employers, the timetable matters: secondary legislation and updated guidance could begin landing as early as September, shortening the window to adjust onboarding processes and right-to-work systems. The government is expected to table amendments addressing gaps in deportation powers revealed by recent high-profile criminal cases and to confirm how the proposed 10-year settlement route for skilled workers will operate. Opposition parties have signalled they will press ministers on the economic impact of longer settlement timelines and on safeguards for modern-slavery victims. Mobility, HR and compliance teams should begin scenario-planning now. Although final wording may change, the Bill’s rapid progress suggests organisations will have little time to react once the new framework is in place.
Source: UK Parliament
