The government has reiterated its commitment to a strict approach to immigration law violations and worker exploitation. While these changes do not represent a major shift in policy, they emphasize stringent enforcement of existing rules.
Currently, employers face a 12-month cooling-off period after their Sponsor Licence is revoked.
Under the new measures, serious or repeated breaches will result in a 2-year cooling-off period.
For civil penalties or criminal convictions, longer cooling-off periods already exist, and this new measure strengthens enforcement against non-compliant employers.
Action plans for minor breaches, which currently last up to 3 months, will now extend to 12 months.
During this period:
Employers cannot assign Certificates of Sponsorship to new workers.
Employers will be downgraded to a B rating on the sponsor register.
The sponsor register will reflect the downgraded rating, affecting reputational standing
Non-compliance with action plans will result in licence revocation.
Sponsors will no longer be allowed to pass sponsorship costs (Certificates of Sponsorship and Sponsor Licence fees) to migrant workers.
While recouping fees like the Immigration Skills Charge is already prohibited, this measure formalizes and expands these protections under the Immigration Rules.
Immigration compliance will integrate with employment law through the new Employment Rights Bill.
The Fair Work Agency will oversee compliance with licensing regulations, the National Minimum Wage, and other worker protections.
Sponsors must ensure adherence to UK employment laws as part of their sponsor duties.