High Potential Individual

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High Potential Individual is a straightforward and unsponsored immigration route which permits applicants with an eligible degree qualification (minimum bachelors' level) from a non-UK ‘top global university’ to undertake full-time employment or self-employment in the UK, at any skill level, for:

  1. •

    three years if they have been awarded a PhD or other eligible doctoral level qualification, or

  2. •

    two years, for all other eligible degree qualifications

The route is set out in the Immigration Rules, Appendix High Potential Individual.

To be

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UKICE analysis estimates Brexit’s impact on foreign-born workforce composition

UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) has published analysis estimating the impact of Brexit on the UK’s foreign-born workforce using a synthetic difference-in-differences methodology, comparing actual outcomes with a counterfactual scenario in which the UK remained in the EU. The study, authored by Jonathan Portes and John Springford, estimates that Brexit reduced the number of EU-born employees in the UK by approximately 785,000 by 2024 (equivalent to 2.6% of the total workforce), while increasing the number of non-EU employees by around 992,000. Overall, the analysis suggests a net increase of approximately 207,000 non-UK-born employees in 2024, representing 0.6% of the total workforce. The study draws on HMRC data on non-national employees in the UK and Eurostat data on foreign-born employees in EU-15 and EEA countries. It treats June 2016 as the intervention point for EU workers, reflecting political and economic uncertainty and sterling depreciation, and January 2021 as the relevant break point for non-EU workers following the introduction of the new immigration system. The research concludes that, while Brexit substantially altered the composition of migration flows and re-established formal control over their structure, it did not materially affect the underlying balance between labour demand, demographic pressures and political constraints.

AJC publishes final report on digitisation in tribunals system

The Administrative Justice Council (AJC) has published its final report examining digitisation and user experience within the modernised tribunal system. The report, produced by a working group chaired by Caroline Sheppard OBE, sets out 11 recommendations aimed at improving access, usability, processes and the effective use of technology. The working group assessed user experience following the HMCTS Reform Programme. Key recommendations include: (1) strengthening tribunal communications through a multidisciplinary approach; (2) establishing a digital champion within HMCTS; (3) improving the availability and quality of tribunal data and (4) developing a long-term digital platform for remote hearings, alongside the careful development of AI-enabled tools to assist with case triage, document summarisation and transcription. The report also recommends piloting commercial off-the-shelf digital systems in tribunals that have not yet undergone reform and ensuring that tribunal judiciary and staff have the necessary technology to operate effectively.

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