British racing has welcomed the decision by the Government to add six crucial racing-related roles to the new Immigration Salary List (ISL), making it easier for training yards and studs to recruit workers from abroad.
The ISL, which has replaced the former Shortage Occupation List, now includes racing grooms, work riders, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands and stud handlers. The industry is currently facing a shortfall of 2,000-2,500 staff, but this development makes recruiting some of the best overseas talent a more realistic option for the sport.
The addition of these roles to the ISL also enables training yards and studs to employ overseas workers on a minimum salary of £30,960–a salary discount on the £38,700 minimum that applies to other businesses under the Government's immigration rules.
The new roles will still need to meet existing criteria and businesses should be aware of the other requirements under the Government's points-based immigration system post-Brexit, including mandatory requirements for overseas employees to have received a firm job offer and speak English to the required level.
Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said, “The fact that the six racing and breeding roles are part of only a very small number of jobs transferred from the old Shortage Occupation List to the to the Immigration Salary List shows the Government recognises how crucial they are to Britain's rural economy.
“Bringing in world-class talent from overseas is not a sticking-plaster solution to our recruitment crisis. They are part of the answer by providing us with unrivalled experience to help train our next generation of high-skilled workers. It is essential that racing now takes the opportunity to make the most of our access to the best international talent, which will enable us to put in place long-term solutions to racing's staffing shortage.”
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