Page 10 - Gi flipbook - November 2018

NEWS | MANAGEMENT

Experts pan Theresa May’s plans

to curb low-skilled migration

EXPERTS HAVE WARNED
of looming skills shortages,
after the Prime Minister
revealed that post-Brexit
immigration will prioritise
high-skilled migrants
over their low-skilled
counterparts.
Theresa May also said
the new immigration
system will treat workers
from the EU27 the same
as workers from outside
the bloc after the Brexit
transition period completes
on 31 December 2020.
“It will be a skills-based
system where it is workers’
skills that matter, not where
they come from,” the Prime
Minister said. “It will be a
system that looks across
the globe and attracts the
people with the skills we
need… The new skills-based
system will make sure The PM has mooted a new skills-
low-skilled immigration is based immigration system
brought down and sets the
UK on the path to reduce Marshall, Director-General to rethink not only exactly skilled workers.
immigration to sustainable of the British Chambers what they produce but their In particular, analysis
levels, as we promised.” of Commerce, felt approach to recruitment, by the Institute for Public
Under the new system, businesses’ reactions to retention and, crucially, Policy Research revealed
applicants would also the announcement would automation. More broadly, 75 per cent of EU nationals
need to meet a salary be “mixed”. employers should also up working full-time in the UK
requirement, reports People “Immigration policy their game on training and at the moment would not
Management. Those who is not just about the bringing harder-to-reach have been eligible to come
successfully apply for high- ‘best and brightest’, but groups, like people with a and work in the country if
skilled work will be entitled straightforward access disability or ill-health, into the MAC proposals applied.
to bring their immediate to the skills needed to the labour market.” A white paper detailing
family, but only if sponsored help grow our economy,” The proposals to how the new immigration
by future employers. he said. “The test of prioritise visas for high- system will work is
However, Carolyn the government’s new skilled workers echoed expected to be published
Fairbairn, Confederation of immigration rules will be those in the most recent later this year, with an
British Industry Director- whether they let businesses government-commissioned Immigration Bill due to be
General, said: “The Prime access skills and talent Migration Advisory published early next year.
Minister’s proposals for a quickly and easily when Committee (MAC) report, May added that the
new system have taken a companies can demonstrate that also recommended government was also
wrong turn.” that they have been unable not giving preference to EU committed to “training
She continued: “All skill to hire or train the people migrants over those from up British people for the
levels matter to the UK they need here in the UK.” other parts of the world. skilled jobs of the future”.
economy. Today’s proposals Stephen Clarke, Senior It was reported recently The government has
risk worsening labour Economic Analyst at the that senior ministers had previously confirmed that
shortages, already serious Resolution Foundation, largely agreed to the EU citizens living in the
in construction, hospitality added: “Low-paying sectors report proposals. However, UK, of which there are
and care. Restricting access with a large share of commentators warned the approximately three million,
to the workers the UK migrant workers, such as plans would cause staff will be entitled to settled
needs is self-defeating.” food manufacturing and shortages for employers in status, even in the event of
Meanwhile, Dr Adam hotels, are going to need sectors which relied on low- a ‘no deal’ Brexit. ■

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News.indd 5 18/10/2018 13:13