1. Overall trends in stocks and flows and the role of large employers John Salt
Migration Research Unit, Department of Geography,
University College London, UK.

8. Estimated population of overseas nationals resident in London, by nationality, 2011
thousands
Country
Estimate
CI +/-
Poland
145 20
India
117 18
Republic of Ireland
108 17
France 79 14
Lithuania 56 12

9. Tier 2 certificates of sponsorship by routes of entry, 2009-2011 (percentage)
2010
2011
RLMT 35 29
Shortage 11 13 7
ICT 54 58 64
Total (number)
53952
62399
56806
Source: UKBA

10. Tier 2 certificates of sponsorship by 3-digit level occupation, 2009-2011 (percentage)
Main Occupations
2009
2010
2011
IT Professionals
30.4
32.1
36.0
Functional managers
7.9
9.0
10.7
Business and statistical professionals
4.3
6.0
7.4
Source: UKBA

11. The impact of the recession
In line with national evidence, levels of mobility were generally reduced
Long term assignments often continued as before, especially when supporting strategic goals, e.g: energy exploitation or consultancy market development.
In most cases immediate response was to seek mobility cost savings, rather than changing basic international networks.
Critical attention was focused on the reducing travel and remuneration costs and selecting assignees more carefully.
Senior and specialist staff moves, with a clear business imperative, were less affected than those of more junior staff, where career development might have been a consideration.
Some of these changes are likely to survive the recession: Reliance on virtual exchange; greater selectivity in assignment planning, and localisation of recruitment and training

12. Conclusions:
Recession hastening the decline of the traditional ‘colonial model’, as MNEs switch business to emerging markets, increase use of virtual exchange and selective business travel, and incorporate non-US/UK affiliates into global labour pools.
Recession accentuated need for reducing mobility costs, and revealed scope for doing do in adverse commercial and technological conditions.
A reduced exchange between the UK and US and increase with the Rest of the World – especially in market driven sectors.
Possible reduced role for the UK in international corporate expertise exchange, as developing markets become more self-sufficient and even dominant in business and technical skills.
The recession has led to short and medium term rebalancing of mobility portfolios, which may lead to more permanent changes in mobility volumes and geographies.