Between January and March 2024, the Home Office suspended 309 skilled worker sponsor licences and revoked 210. This represents a much higher level of activity than at any point since Brexit.
HR Magazine quotes Kelvin Tanner on skilled worker sponsor licence suspensions and revocations
The number of skilled worker sponsor licence suspensions and revocations has markedly increased in the first quarter of 2024, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (13 June).
Kelvin Tanner, Immigration Partner, provides comment for HR Magazine:
All skilled worker licence holders should be aware of their sponsor duties and of the risk of enforcement action being taken against them for a failure to comply. This can include having their sponsor licence suspended or revoked, and where an audit uncovers instances of illegal working, it can lead to civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.
To avoid losing their licences, employers should remain up-to-date with policies, training and record-keeping, and ensure they are filling genuine vacancies.
Before applying for a sponsor licence it is important that a company doesn’t overlook the comprehensive immigration policies and procedures that it needs to have in place to ensure compliance with its duties as a sponsor.
For team members involved in immigration and sponsor licence matters, the company will need to conduct training once a year and also review training and policies annually.
In addition to their usual focus on right to work checks, reporting and record-keeping, we have also seen a focus on the genuine vacancy requirement and a company’s compliance with employment law.
Read the full piece in HR Magazine here.
