The Movement of People Workstream of the Construction Leadership Council Brexit Working Group has this week published guidance for companies on how to manage the movement of people and workers into the UK from 1 January 2021.

New Year’s Eve marks the end of the transition period, following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. From 1 January 2021, UK employers will have to abide by new rules when recruiting workers from outside of the UK, including Europe.

The CLC guidance summarises the key information all employers will need in advance including:

• An overview of the new points-based immigration system;
• Details of the Common Travel Area (CTA);
• Information about the Shortage Occupation List and the skilled worker route;
• Guidance on how to become a licensed sponsor;
• Information on the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss migrants; and
• Information on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).

Graham Watts, Chair of the CLC’s Movement of People Workstream, said:

“This has been a whole-industry effort with input from across the whole breadth of trade associations and professional bodies and it was a great pleasure to chair the workstream on behalf of the CLC. It summarises all current advice across ten areas of interest connected to the movement of people to work and signposts all relevant current resources. We strongly commend the guidance to all employers in the construction industry.”

The guidance is the second publication in a suite of business readiness advice that the group intends to publish ahead of 31 December 2020.