CIRC 048: National Chair Update july 2025

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all POA members.

Changes to Immigration status and Oversees Recruits
Any oversees recruits who are concerned about the recent Government announcement should note the following and contact the Resourcing Management Office if they have any further concerns.

HMPPS have advised affected staff of the following:

From 22 July 2025, changes to the Immigration Rules will affect some of our current and future staff, particularly those on Skilled Worker visas.

What has happened?
On 1 July the Home Office published the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. These changes come into effect on the 22 July and will impact any staff member or new recruit seeking skilled worker visa sponsorship. The announcement follows the Immigration White Paper which set out the government’s plans to reduce net migration.

Who is affected?
Staff and new recruits who are currently sponsored or wishing to seek sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa.

The main impacts are

· current staff on time-bound visas may not be eligible for an extension to an existing Skilled Worker visa or switch under the new rules

· new recruits in the pipeline who were hoping to be considered for sponsorship might not qualify under new rules

· Salary thresholds will increase, and some eligible roles will be removed

Staff with existing right to work (RTW) can continue working in their role —no immediate action is needed unless their RTW is expiring soon. They will need to consider their visa options and ensure an in-time visa application is made to the Home Office to remain in employment.

HMPPS are unable to:

· we cannot expedite additional requests ahead of the changes
· we cannot provide individuals with immigration advice
· we are not responsible for managing individual visa arrangements

As an employer, we must ensure no one works illegally and employees are contractually obliged to maintain their right to work in the UK and Civil Service.

It is employees responsibility to maintain their visa and legal immigration status.

If employees have valid right to work (RTW), they can continue working. No one will be asked to leave unless their visa expires and they are no longer able to maintain legal RTW.

Sponsorship cannot be guaranteed and cannot be fast-tracked.

· Refer HR queries to your HRBP or the Resourcing Management Office: Resourcing-Management-Office@justice.gov.uk

All POA members who find themselves affected by these changes should note that the POA have written to the Government and are actively fighting these changes in order to secure an exemption so oversees staff can remain in employment. As soon as we receive a response we will update you further.

NEC Elections

All POA members have a right to vote in the NEC elections that are currently ongoing. Please check your mail at home and your postal rooms in your workplaces to ensure you receive your ballot slip.

Distribution of the Ballot Papers will begin on Friday 11th July 2025 and have been addressed to individual members at their approved ballot address. If Ballot Papers have not been distributed locally by Thursday 24th July 2025, you should advise Nicola Hubert at Cronin House immediately via email nicola@poauk.org.uk.

POA Scotland
Following a pay ballot on the 2-year deal presented by the SPS, the membership overwhelmingly accepted the offer. This takes pay through to 2027 now in Scotland. The deal is effective from April and backdated monies will be in salaries in July. Offer was for a 2-year deal mirroring the NHS deal. 4.25% year 1 and 3.75% in year 2.

Northern Ireland Area Committee POA
Agreement was reached on the progression of the pay award as submitted to the Pay Review Body. The Permanent Secretary and Justice Minister have signed off the submission, and they now await the Department of Finance’s decision.

Prison Officer Level Transfers
All POA members who are serving Band 3 Prison Officers in public sector prisons in England and Wales should note that the window to request a level transfer is now open. Please note the following:

 

 

HMPPS aim to have the application and notifications process completed within 12 weeks; the below time scales are indicative:

⦁ Applications will open on 10/07/2025 and close on 07/08/2025 (4 weeks)
⦁ Sift 11-22nd August 2025
⦁ National vacancy analysis (Week commencing 25th August)
⦁ Group allocation process (Week commencing 1st September)
⦁ Notification of approved moves (Week commencing 8th September)

Please note that the above timescales are indicative and may change should there be a higher number of applications than anticipated.

All band 3 Prison Officers and band 3 Youth Justice Workers with at least two years’ service experience can apply to work at another prison on level transfer.

All the best.

Mark Fairhurst
National Chair