A firm set up to help businesses employ skilled workers from overseas and fill labour shortages has seen demand grow nearly fivefold in the last couple of years. Sponsor Licence Specialists (SLS) in Weston navigates the maze of immigration compliance when taking on international talent.
Moslek Uddin, a director at SLS, said: “Certain industries, such as in construction and care, have long looked outside the UK to fill roles requiring particular skills or knowledge. This is likely to continue while there is a lack of investment to train those seeking a career in such industries.
“Skilled workers on a team enable a business to run effectively, with opportunities for growth. When it is not possible to find local talent, we help make the process of sponsoring an overseas applicant hassle-free,” added Uddin.
Moslek, who is an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) member for ethnic minority business which campaigns on a range of issues, said: “It’s a complex, time-consuming process and grounds for refusal are not always clear to employers.
“We have the experience and expertise to deal with the constant changes in immigration compliance – leaving business owners to focus on their team rather than paperwork.”
In December 2023, the Prime Minister announced a package of measures designed to reduce UK migration. This year the salary threshold for a skilled worker visa has risen by 48 per cent to £38,700, ensuring businesses pay significantly more if they recruit from overseas.
And the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), entitling people to NHS hospital treatment at no additional cost in the UK, has increased by 66 per cent from £624 to £1,035 per applicant.
But the Immigration Salary List (ISL), which came into effect in April, allows for roles where employees are skilled and there is a shortage of suitable domestic workers available.
Moslek, who has worked as an executive head chef at a number of highly successful restaurants and ran his own outlet, has experienced first-hand the impact of staff shortage.
He is also CEO for UKCC (UK Curry Connect), a campaign group which has been set up to raise awareness of skills shortages in the Asian catering industry.
He said: “It is not always possible to find people with the right skillset in the UK, such as a highly qualified chef, and employing people from around the world helps plug the current skills gap. ”
Government income from immigration and nationality fees rose from £184 million in 2003 to £2,200 million in 2022, not including health surcharges and employer levies. There has been a threefold increase in non-EU immigration since 2018. This has included more workers in the health sector and a growing demand for international study.
Immigration is estimated to yield £3.3 billion annually for public finances in the UK, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).
Moslek said: “Immigration can have many benefits, including boosting the UK economy and providing opportunities for talented, hard-working people.”
