This looks to me like a conundrum, and another case of badly communicated regulations but with significant implications. I have nott been able to find anything searching on this topic, so can anyone help?

An announcement was made recently about tougher rules regarding the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).

This stated “the change to the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) come as Immigration Minister Liam Byrne launched an Employers’ Taskforce made up of representatives from businesses and colleges working with Government to develop and eventually implement the points based system’s tough new sponsorship rules. These will play a vital role in preventing abuse of the immigration system by ensuring industry checks that their overseas staff and international students have a right to work.”

Looking at the various government websites, clarification of what this means to employers and recruiters is scant. So I am trying to ascertain:

1. Do employers have a responsibility to seek applications from UK citizens first, and only when failing to find candidates of the appropriate quality are they then to encourage applications from those on the HSMP?
2. Are British Citizens and those on the HSMP to be treated exactly the same in the recruitment process, to avoid discrimination?
3. The finite nature of the HSMP (initially 2 years, I believe) could be seen as an unacceptable limitation by potential employers trying to fill a permanent position. Is this a valid reason for them to reject an application without further qualification?

I am totally confused by what the government is trying to achieve and convey, and the implications to both employers and recruiters is (I believe) dangerous!

Help and clarification would be very welcome!

Many thanks
Martin Ramsden

Martin Ramsden