UK trade bodies respond to points-based immigration proposal

The proposed points-based immigration system is expected to have little impact on the games industry, according to trade body UKIE.

As Britain prepares to exit the European Union, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has released its report considering the implementation of an Australian-stlye points-based system (PBS).

Key suggestions from the report were to open up the Tier 2 (general) visa for skilled workers outside of Europe, and reduce the proposed salary threshold from £30,000 to £25,600.

"There is potential here that a cosmetic PBS will be introduced with little actual effect, or that the MAC's recommendations will be followed and that a PBS will be introduced through the Tier 1 [highly skilled] visa route," said UKIE. "Either way, it appears that any future PBS will have little effect on the games industry."

Meanwhile, industry trade body TIGA welcomed the attention given to "sector-specific needs for the STEM and creative industries."

In a statement, CEO Richard Wilson said: "If the UK Government does proceed to introduce a points based migration system, then the top three criteria should be 'work experience', 'having a job offer' and 'language proficiency'."

To what extent these recommendations will appear in the final system remains unclear, but as it stands, the UK will need to implement a new system before it officially leaves the European Union at the end of this year.