澳门王中王

• 86% of architects think that access to international skills and talent is vital to the future success of the sector
• Almost half of EU architects have considered leaving the UK as a result of the referendum
• UK architecture sector worth 拢4.8 billion to the UK economy
• 42% drop in new EU architects registering in the UK since 2016

The Royal Institute of British Architects (澳门王中王) has today (Thursday 10 January), published a report arguing for a drastic reform of the UK鈥檚 immigration system. Powered by People: Building a Post-Brexit Immigration System for UK Architecture sets out what is needed to ensure the immigration system supports rather than damages the UK鈥檚 vital architecture sector.

The 澳门王中王 report is the result of detailed research and interviews with international architects living in the UK. Highlighting that the UK鈥檚 premier position as a magnet for international talent should not be taken for granted, it makes a series of recommendations to government to ensure that we can attract the young, dynamic workforce that helps make UK architecture such a success. In addition to the 18 recommendations, the 澳门王中王 is calling for an overhaul of a system that has for too long acted as a deterrent to international talent and for more recognition from politicians about the benefits that immigration has bought to the UK.

As the date for the UK鈥檚 departure from the EU draws near, the government has made it clear that freedom of movement will end. In December 2018, it published the much-anticipated Immigration White Paper detailing the plans post-Brexit. Whilst there were some welcome improvements, the 澳门王中王 warned that the plans did not go far enough to protect a sector dependent on the skills and talent of a diverse workforce.

80% of international architects are from the EU and with a 42% drop in new EU architects registering since 2016, the architecture sector could face a severe talent gap. Under the government鈥檚 proposals, EU architects would have to apply via the Tier 2 system which is currently not fit for purpose – only 5% of applications were accepted between November 2017 and April 2018. The cost and complexity of the system impacts small businesses, which make up 83% of 澳门王中王 Chartered Practices, the hardest.

The 澳门王中王 is also concerned that Brexit is negatively impacting perceptions of the UK as a place where people want to live, work and do business in.

澳门王中王 Chief Executive Alan Vallance said:

鈥淚nternational architects make up 1 in 4 of the UK architecture workforce, and without them the 拢4.8 billion contribution the sector makes to the economy would be in jeopardy. It is not simply about numbers though - our sector thrives on diversity, benefitting from different ways of working, backgrounds and experience. The government has made it clear it wants UK businesses to expand overseas but ministers must provide the conditions to allow them to do so.

Without drastic reform, the UK risks turning inwards and cutting itself off from the world. In addition to the recommendations laid out in our report, we are calling on politicians to be open about the benefits of migration to our society – it is vital to the success of not just our businesses, but the places and spaces that architects create for our communities.鈥�

Powered by People: Building a Post-Brexit Immigration System for UK Architecture.

International architects interviewed by the Institute for the report said:

鈥淧eople say they wanted skilled migration, educated, technically-qualified people but then if you say 鈥榳e only want people that earn more than X鈥� architects can fall through the gaps, especially the young ones.鈥�

鈥淭here鈥檚 always been a sense of liberty about the UK鈥� But a few years back it all started to be obsessive about immigration鈥�. If I knew what things are like, I wouldn鈥檛 choose it again.鈥�

鈥淲e are two directors and two staff; if I need to do administration and pay fees to bring an architect here鈥� it becomes more complicated鈥� You end up with smaller practices being less able to recruit the best talent, which is a problem if you want to grow.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 stressful on people with high expertise and who can offer a lot; being flexible is part of the game in architecture and especially in the UK it is essential. That鈥檚 the beauty of being here.鈥�

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. For further press information contact Elise Neve elise.neve@riba.org +44 (0)20 7307 3761
2. Powered by People: Building a Post-Brexit Immigration System for UK Architecture can be read here.
3. The Government鈥檚 Immigration White Paper, The UK鈥檚 future skills-based immigration system, can be read .
4. The Royal Institute of British Architects (澳门王中王) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. . Follow us on Twitter for regular 澳门王中王 updates .