Local Government

Local governments across the UK are the backbone of communities, providing essential services from social care and waste management to education and library services. But these crucial functions face a growing threat: complex and evolving immigration compliance challenges. Navigating a restrictive system while ensuring fair and ethical employment practices can be a daunting task, impacting not only individual councils but also the quality of life for residents.

Across local government, vacancies abound, exceeding 100,000 in roles ranging from social workers and waste collectors to engineers and IT specialists. This shortage, partly fueled by demographic shifts and competitive wages in the private sector, manifests in delays, service reductions, and even closures, directly impacting residents’ well-being and council efficiency.

Local governments rely on international talent for various reasons:

Certain roles, like planning officers with specific language skills or engineers with niche expertise, often attract talent from abroad.

As communities become increasingly diverse, having staff who reflect these demographics fosters trust and understanding in service delivery.

Some sectors, like social care, face national skills shortages, making international recruitment crucial for maintaining service levels.

However, recent UK immigration policies pose significant challenges for local government employers. The points-based system makes sponsoring foreign workers expensive and cumbersome, especially for lower-skilled positions.

The SOL, which lists professions facing skills shortages, doesn’t adequately reflect local government needs. Many critical roles are excluded, limiting the talent pool.

Failure to comply with immigration regulations can have severe consequences. Breaches can lead to hefty fines, impacting budgets and further straining resources. Negative publicity or legal cases can damage public trust and harm the council’s standing within the community. And losing staff due to non-compliance can lead to service disruptions and delays, impacting residents’ quality of life.

To manage these challenges and ensure compliance, local governments need a proactive approach to navigate the evolving immigration landscape effectively.