The House of Commons has released the Chair’s 15 October selection and grouping of amendments for the committee stage of the Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026, along with a supplementary Delegated Powers Memorandum from the Home Office. The 122-page bundle details proposed changes ranging from a new fast-track removal procedure to revised sponsorship obligations for employers. Notably for business, back-bench MPs have tabled amendments that would: 1) introduce a five-year cap on temporary work visas issued under the Global Business Mobility route; 2) require an independent impact assessment before any future increases in the Immigration Health Surcharge; and 3) expand the Shortage Occupation List review cycle from annual to biennial. While the government has not signalled support, the inclusion of these proposals in formal groupings means they will receive at least a short debate over the next fortnight. The Delegated Powers Memorandum meanwhile defends wide ministerial powers to vary visa conditions by secondary legislation—powers business groups fear could create regulatory volatility. Employers operating sponsorship management systems should monitor proceedings closely; substantive changes could be added late in committee or at report stage, leaving little lead-time for compliance adjustments. If enacted, the Bill would also overhaul asylum appeals, beef up civil penalties for illegal employment, and place a statutory duty on sponsors to check digital immigration status in real time. Mobility leaders are advised to brief Government-Relations or Legal teams and consider submitting evidence should the public-bill committee re-open its call for input.
Source: UK Parliament Bill Publications
