Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 June 2011.

Visas

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether allowances to cover business expenses are included when considering appropriate salaries for tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) migrant worker visas; and whether accommodation allowances are regarded as business expenses if the allowance is provided so that the employee can perform work at a client's or customer's place of business.

Answer: We do take account of allowances where they cover factors such as the additional cost of living in the UK and allow us to compare what is paid to a migrant with what would be paid to a resident worker doing the same job. We do not include business expenses, such as flights to and from the sending company, as acceptable allowances. Accommodation allowances are defined in both the tier 2 and 5 Sponsor Guidance, and the tier 2 Policy Guidance.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 9991; 728 c354WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Visas
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Allowances Migrant workers Visas Multinational companies
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk