Sponsorship Transparency Statistics Show why Sponsor Compliance is Crucial…
With the lead up to the general election in 2015 and the rising anti-immigration rhetoric from Eurosceptics, the government in Westminster have been under constant pressure to act on growing migration statistics from both EEA and non EEA citizens. Immigration enforcement has been catapulted to the forefront of the government’s plans and it appears that this will not be changing any time soon.
On the 28th August 2014, fresh sponsorship transparency data surfaced, revealing several immigration enforcement figures during the second quarter of 2014.
The data shows that a high number of sponsors were either suspended or had their licences revoked throughout the second quarter of 2014, for failing to comply with the immigration rules or their sponsor obligations.
Most notably, the data illustrates that within Tier 2 (employee sponsorship), a total of 197 sponsors had their Licences suspended and 118 licences were revoked for misconduct.
The recent statistics highlight that no individual, firm or education authority is immune from immigration enforcement and it reiterates the significance of compliance and the serious nature of misconduct.
In addition, 2014 saw the strict enforcement of Secure English Language testing. Over 1,800 cases were faced with refusal or removal decisions in respect of the ETS-linked English language tests. Almost 800 enforcement visits were made, with over 90 individuals being removed from the United Kingdom.