EU free movement rights have now ended, making it harder for migrant workers to move to the UK. So, how will you meet your staffing needs in 2021?

The first step is to encourage EU nationals already working for you to protect their rights.
EU nationals resident in the UK by 11:00pm on 31 December 2020 can remain, subject to applying to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). There is a grace period to apply; the deadline is 30 June 2021. However, we recommend applying now.

Applications are free of charge. Applicants use a smartphone app called 'EU Exit ID Document Check' to check their passport and prove their identity. Their National Insurance number is used to search HMRC and DWP records. If records show they have been living in the UK, they will not need to provide any further proof of residence unless they choose to do so.

Applicants who have lived in the UK for five years or more will be granted a special type of indefinite leave to remain called 'settled status'. This allows them to stay forever. Those who do not yet have five years in the UK will receive 'pre-settled status'. This is temporary leave to remain, which they can apply to upgrade to settled status in due course.

Both types of status preserve all of the individual's rights in the UK, including their right to work and the right to access the NHS on the same basis as British nationals. The status is only recorded online, the individual does not receive a physical document.

To date there have been around 4.5m applications to the EUSS. However we believe a large number of people still need to apply. A study by the Social Market Foundation published in September 2020, found that over 40% of EU Workers in the Fenland area were completely unaware of the EUSS. We are particularly worried that a large number of EU nationals working in food production and processing have yet to protect their status in the UK.

Employers play a key role in ensuring their workers know about the scheme. Birketts has been supporting employers with seminars and webinars for staff and drafting appropriate updates and communications. The Government has also produced an employer's tool kit to help you. 
Guidance on the EUSS is available in different languages.

Where a business has a cohort of EU workers they will often support each other with applications, by sharing experiences and answering each other's questions about the Scheme. Help is also available from the EU Settlement Resolution Centre.

There is also a list of charities with grant funding to support vulnerable applicants.

The EUSS is aimed at EU nationals who live in the UK for at least six months every year. If they can qualify, this gives the best rights. However, some seasonal workers will not meet the residence requirements. If they have been living abroad but coming to work in the UK every 12 months, they may qualify for a Frontier Worker permit. This will be a key solution to allow experienced workers to return to the UK to meet annual peaks in demand.

EU nationals who do not have status under the EUSS or as a Frontier Worker will need to obtain a visa, just like non-EU nationals.

Becoming a licensed sponsor would allow you to recruit Skilled Workers. But this is expensive and only applies to roles skilled to RQF3 (A level) or above. For example it does not apply for waiters, bar staff, factory workers, packers, warehouse supervisors or fork lift truck drivers. Another significant barrier is the minimum salary requirement of £25,600, dropping to £20,480 for new entrants younger than 26.

Therefore, it is important to explore what other visa routes might allow a migrant to work for you. In particular, there are options which might help for Students, recent Graduates, under 30s from specific countries where we have reciprocal 'youth mobility' arrangements, partners of British/EU nationals and dependants of main visa holders. Finally, a new visa route has just been launched for holders of British Nationality (Overseas) status and their families – this applies to some people from Hong Kong and includes generous work rights.

It is clear that finding good new recruits will be challenging, so please take action now to support and protect your current workforce.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.