Ian Robinson
@ianrobbo.bsky.social
I will mostly post about economic and business migration and Liverpool FC
I spoke to the FT about how the uK’s work permit system can already cost employers more than President Trump’s $100k H1B fee and how earned settlement will substantially increase those costs
UK visa costs already near Trump-like levels, advisers say on.ft.com/4nMoP0H
UK visa costs already near Trump-like levels, advisers say
Workers in Britain are charged tens of thousands of pounds — but figure could rise if qualification period is extended
on.ft.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I spoke to the FT about how the uK’s work permit system can already cost employers more than President Trump’s $100k H1B fee and how earned settlement will substantially increase those costs
This is interesting Ben, thank you. One think you understandably missed because almost everyone does:
Many employers and most multinationals pay these fees for employees. HMRC then tax the fees as a benefit so the cost rises by an additional 60% to 118%, or up to an extra 131% in Scotland.
Many employers and most multinationals pay these fees for employees. HMRC then tax the fees as a benefit so the cost rises by an additional 60% to 118%, or up to an extra 131% in Scotland.
Where I have more concerns is the cost associated with coming on a skilled visa, particularly the NHS fees as they apply to skilled worker dependents. I provide a worked example that a physicist and her faumily would need to shell out over £33k upfront. That is wild... 11/n
September 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
This is interesting Ben, thank you. One think you understandably missed because almost everyone does:
Many employers and most multinationals pay these fees for employees. HMRC then tax the fees as a benefit so the cost rises by an additional 60% to 118%, or up to an extra 131% in Scotland.
Many employers and most multinationals pay these fees for employees. HMRC then tax the fees as a benefit so the cost rises by an additional 60% to 118%, or up to an extra 131% in Scotland.
Am I reading it right and Tool Makers is one of the jobs being removed?
Here is the statement of changes www.gov.uk/government/p...
July 1, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Am I reading it right and Tool Makers is one of the jobs being removed?
Reposted by Ian Robinson
Here is the statement of changes www.gov.uk/government/p...
July 1, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Here is the statement of changes www.gov.uk/government/p...
The first official statement on the immigration white paper. Work visas will be restricted to degree level jobs, but there will be some access to lower skilled jobs where there is strong evidence of shortages and an industry plan to train and hire more British workers.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Radical reforms to reduce migration
Britain's failed immigration system will be radically reformed so the system is controlled, managed and fair under a landmark White Paper.
www.gov.uk
May 11, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The first official statement on the immigration white paper. Work visas will be restricted to degree level jobs, but there will be some access to lower skilled jobs where there is strong evidence of shortages and an industry plan to train and hire more British workers.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The shame of this is that the UK has about the best work permit system in the world. One of the fastest, the most objective so employers have actual certainty, light on supporting paperwork, completely digital, sensible consistent decisions. It is just very overpriced compared to everywhere else
Another report on how our high visa costs deter top R&D talent
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
April 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The shame of this is that the UK has about the best work permit system in the world. One of the fastest, the most objective so employers have actual certainty, light on supporting paperwork, completely digital, sensible consistent decisions. It is just very overpriced compared to everywhere else
It’s normal to put a cap on youth mobility visas
There’s nothing stopping the Home Office from changing a) how the migration figures are recorded (who counts as a migrant worker vs a foreign student on temporary visa) so they’re more credible and reliable, and b) how migration is actually managed. And yet, instead, we get this kind of nonsense.
April 23, 2025 at 10:01 PM
It’s normal to put a cap on youth mobility visas
Reposted by Ian Robinson
Immigration people: I’m writing a briefing for a government and thinking about integration. Does anyone know of any immigration authority that expects an employer to support in country integration? Eg pay for language or cultural assimilation lessons?
April 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Immigration people: I’m writing a briefing for a government and thinking about integration. Does anyone know of any immigration authority that expects an employer to support in country integration? Eg pay for language or cultural assimilation lessons?
Immigration people: I’m writing a briefing for a government and thinking about integration. Does anyone know of any immigration authority that expects an employer to support in country integration? Eg pay for language or cultural assimilation lessons?
April 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Immigration people: I’m writing a briefing for a government and thinking about integration. Does anyone know of any immigration authority that expects an employer to support in country integration? Eg pay for language or cultural assimilation lessons?
Reposted by Ian Robinson
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December 17, 2024 at 3:50 PM
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Reposted by Ian Robinson
If Ive done it right then here's my migration, asylum and refugees starter pack!
go.bsky.app/UNtm3da
go.bsky.app/UNtm3da
November 21, 2024 at 5:20 PM
If Ive done it right then here's my migration, asylum and refugees starter pack!
go.bsky.app/UNtm3da
go.bsky.app/UNtm3da
Immigration wonks: Any views on what the Trump administration policy on migration will mean for UK immigration? I think numbers will increase at medium/ high skill levels for tech, FS, professional services, pharma and potentially manufacturing, engineering and other skilled jobs
November 21, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Immigration wonks: Any views on what the Trump administration policy on migration will mean for UK immigration? I think numbers will increase at medium/ high skill levels for tech, FS, professional services, pharma and potentially manufacturing, engineering and other skilled jobs
Post you from a different era
Birmingham 2000
Birmingham 2000
November 20, 2024 at 9:30 PM
Post you from a different era
Birmingham 2000
Birmingham 2000
Does anyone know if there is a starter pack for immigration Bluesky and if not does anyone know how to make one?
November 20, 2024 at 7:15 PM
Does anyone know if there is a starter pack for immigration Bluesky and if not does anyone know how to make one?
It’s really hard to get to live in the uk and often impossible if you don’t have a well paid job and sponsorship waiting for you
Asylum seekers and even economic migrants are all just ordinary human beings.
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
The degree of control journalists have over the headlines on their stories differs massively depending on type of story (news/feature/opinion) and publication. A writer saying “not my fault” may be anywhere from 100% true to 100% false.
The degree of control journalists have over the headlines on their stories differs massively depending on type of story (news/feature/opinion) and publication. A writer saying “not my fault” may be anywhere from 100% true to 100% false.
October 24, 2024 at 3:15 PM
It’s really hard to get to live in the uk and often impossible if you don’t have a well paid job and sponsorship waiting for you
My first Blue Sky post
Some thoughts on the immigration changes announced today. I’m concentrating on:
- the minimum salary for Skilled Workers will increase to £38,700 from next spring
- the minimum income requirement for spouse visas will also increase to £38,700
Some thoughts on the immigration changes announced today. I’m concentrating on:
- the minimum salary for Skilled Workers will increase to £38,700 from next spring
- the minimum income requirement for spouse visas will also increase to £38,700
December 4, 2023 at 9:08 PM
My first Blue Sky post
Some thoughts on the immigration changes announced today. I’m concentrating on:
- the minimum salary for Skilled Workers will increase to £38,700 from next spring
- the minimum income requirement for spouse visas will also increase to £38,700
Some thoughts on the immigration changes announced today. I’m concentrating on:
- the minimum salary for Skilled Workers will increase to £38,700 from next spring
- the minimum income requirement for spouse visas will also increase to £38,700