The UK’s new immigration policy is attracting more overseas workers
The number of views of UK job listings on Indeed’s website from people outside of Britain has increased by 142% since early 2021. This is the highest level of interest since at least 2017.
The increase in interest is being driven by the UK government’s new points-based immigration system, which makes it easier for people from outside the EU to work in the UK. The system scores people based on certain criteria, such as speaking English and having a job offer. Having a PhD, earning a high salary, or taking a job in a sector with a shortage of workers can also earn a candidate additional points. People must reach a score of 70 to qualify for a visa.
Pawel Adrjan, a senior economist at Indeed, said: “The UK government’s new immigration policy is operating as intended, with requirements for non-EU workers generally easing after Brexit.”
The types of jobs overseas workers are looking for has also changed. There is a shift towards non-European interest in higher skilled jobs such as software development in the UK and away from lower skilled roles European workers had previously taken.
Since overhauling its immigration policies, the British Government has gradually expanded a list of shortage occupations, making it easier for software developers, care workers, and even ballet dancers to immigrate.
The biggest increase in interest has been for social workers and home carers. More than 9 in 100 views on these job postings are from overseas workers, up from roughly 2 in 100 before the pandemic. The interest is particularly strong from people in Nigeria, India, and South Africa.
Adrjan said: “We’ve also seen a sharp and unabated rise in foreign interest in care jobs since 2021, following the addition of these roles to the shortage occupation list in 2022.”
By contrast, interest in jobs within the EU from overseas workers has remained flat, at almost 3 in every 100 views. Adrjan said: “The EU is struggling to establish itself as a top destination for foreign job seekers, despite the rebound from pandemic lows.”
Net immigration to Britain reached a record high of 606,000 people in 2022, mainly driven by arrivals from outside the EU.
This trend is likely to continue in the coming years, as the UK’s economy continues to grow and the demand for skilled workers remains high.