The Public Bill Committee examining the government’s wide-ranging Immigration and Asylum Bill formally opened its call for written evidence on 22 July. Stakeholders have until early September to submit comments before line-by-line scrutiny begins on 10 September, with a reporting deadline of 3 November. The draft legislation proposes a revamp of the sponsorship system, including higher compliance penalties for employers, new digital right-to-work checks and a mandatory accreditation scheme for relocation agents. It also contains controversial provisions to restrict in-country switching from visitor to work routes and to fast-track certain asylum appeals. Corporate mobility teams, universities and sector bodies are expected to flood the committee with evidence. The CBI has already flagged concerns that a blanket bar on visitor-to-work switching could disrupt global client-service models by forcing skilled consultants to leave the UK mid-project. Universities UK meanwhile argues that tighter asylum fast-track rules must not undercut academic freedom by risking the removal of at-risk researchers. Bill rapporteurs have hinted that they will consider carve-outs where robust economic need is proven, echoing the approach taken with the 2025 Skilled Worker reforms. Observers note that the November reporting date aligns with the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, suggesting immigration revenue measures (such as increased skills charges) could feature in the fiscal event. Employers wishing to influence the outcome should prepare evidence that quantifies business disruption as well as compliance benefits. Submissions can be made via the committee’s online portal and become public record.
Source: LexisNexis Legal News
