Immigration

The Lowdown: changes to Skilled Worker visas

19-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

The Government has released important new information about its changes to a means of employing staff from abroad that has been a 'lifeline' for some parts of the hospitality industry.

Hospitality labour shortages set to 'worsen' under new immigration plans

05-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have warned new immigration rules that will raise the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa will ‘further shrink’ the talent pool businesses are recruiting from.

Opportunities from new points-based visa scheme

31-May-2022 By Helen Gilbert

UKHospitality has called for increased use of youth mobility schemes with other nations in order to maximise the potential of the government’s new points-based visa scheme.

So long and thanks for all the fish - UK and EU agree Brexit trade deal

24-Dec-2020 By James McAllister

The UK and European Union have agreed a post-Brexit trade deal.

Hospitality businesses urged to register for sponsor license or face post-Brexit recruitment shortage

10-Nov-2020 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses are being warned they could face a recruitment shortage post Brexit if they do not register to employ overseas workers before free movement ends on 1 January.

Big Mamma's UK expansion plans on hold in light of Government's handling of Coronavirus crisis

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

French restaurant group Big Mamma may row back on its UK expansion plans, saying the Government’s poor track record during the Coronavirus crisis has led to greater uncertainty over how it will handle Brexit.

Government's proposed immigration bill receives initial backing from MPs

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government’s proposed points-based immigration bill, which could make it impossible for hospitality businesses to secure EU migrants for entry-level positions, has been given initial approval by MPs.

Proposed immigration bill “a threat to the national interest”

18-May-2020 By James McAllister

The Government’s proposed points-based immigration bill, which has previously been described as “disastrous” for the hospitality sector, poses "a threat to the national interest” says Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary.

Industry hit by 'double whammy' of Coronavirus and immigration policy

10-Mar-2020 By Stefan Chomka

Confidence among the bosses of Britain’s pub and restaurant groups has been fractured by the double whammy of Coronavirus and the Government’s new immigration policy, according to new snap poll.

Immigration bill will leave more than 200k jobs unfilled

09-Mar-2020 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has warned that more than 200,000 job vacancies across the sector will be left unfilled if the Government’s new immigration bill is enforced in its current form.

Des Gunewardena: "Restaurants will need to operate with fewer staff after Brexit"

25-Feb-2020 By James McAllister

Restaurants will have to adapt to managing with fewer staff once post-Brexit immigration rules come into force, according to D&D London’s chairman and CEO Des Gunewardena.

Hospitality professionals call on Government to rethink proposed immigration laws

24-Feb-2020 By James McAllister

Industry figures including Hoppers director Karan Gokani, chef Asma Khan, and Oklava founders Selin Kiazim and Laura Christie have spoken out against the Government designating hospitality workers as ‘low skilled’.

Government closes door on 'low-skilled' EU migrants

19-Feb-2020 By James McAllister

Proposed changes to the immigration system have provoked fierce condemnation from the hospitality industry, with trade body UKHospitality calling it “disastrous” for the sector.

UKHospitality: post-Brexit immigration system must work for entire economy

29-Jan-2020 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has called on the Government to ensure the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system is flexible enough to address ‘sector-specific shortages’.

Government advised to relax chef visa rules

30-May-2019 By Sophie Witts

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has called for an end to restrictions preventing restaurants, pubs and hotels that offer a takeaway service from employing chefs from outside the EU.

COMMENT

Comment: UK's post-Brexit immigration policy is highly damaging for hospitality

08-Nov-2018 By Gemma Jones

The Prime Minister’s immigration policy once the UK leaves the EU shows a lack of understanding about the hospitality sector, says Gemma Jones, co-head of immigration at legal experts SA Law

BHA calls for post-Brexit visas for EU hospitality staff

27-Jul-2017 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality trade bodies have welcomed the government’s decision to launch its first major report in to the impact of EU immigration on the UK.

Restaurants warn immigration cap could stall growth

09-May-2017 By Sophie Witts

Conservative party plans to reduce immigration to the ‘tens of thousands’ could put the brakes on the growth of the UK's restaurant sector, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has warned.

Employing hospitality staff legally: What you need to know about the Immigration Act 2016

18-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Byron received unwanted media attention last month after it helped the Home Office organise an immigration raid on some of its staff who were found to be working illegally in the UK. 

Relax immigration laws to help address chef shortage, says recruiter

28-Sep-2015 By Emma Eversham

The chef shortage problem could be eased temporarily by relaxing Britain's immigration laws to allow a 'freer movement of chef talent' around the globe, the director of hospitality recruitment company The Change Group has claimed. 

Gov confirms foreign chefs can work in the UK

12-Nov-2008 By Emma Eversham

Restaurants and hotels will be able to employ chefs from outside the EU if they need to under government recommendations on migrant workers

Chefs on shortage occupation list

09-Sep-2008 By Emma Eversham

Restaurateurs and hoteliers should still be able to employ skilled chefs from outside the UK under toughened immigration laws, but not other hospitality workers, says a report published by the Migration Advisory Committee