Brexit Britain faces a surge in non-EU workers to plug skills shortages in the UK
BREXIT Britain faces a surge in workers from outside the EU after a top body put THIRTY-SEVEN professions on a skills shortage list.
The Migration Advisory Committee said tough border rules should be relaxed for firms looking to bring in everyone from welders to vets, web designers, social workers, civil engineers and chefs.
Currently, firms can only bring in a set number of non-EU workers for skilled jobs each year – and only then if the trade or profession is on a so-called shortage occupation list.
Yesterday’s recommendations mean the list will now cover some 9 per cent of jobs in the labour market up from 1 per cent – an increase of 2.5million roles.
Critically, it means the jobs won’t have to advertised in Britain first – and the new hires can settle in the country without meeting a salary threshold.
Some occupations were previously on the list – but these are also being extended to cover every single role in the category – such as artists.
Alp Mehmet of Migration Watch said: “This is astonishing. The MAC seems to have turned 180 degrees from its previous emphasis on encouraging employers to recruit domestically through improved wages.
“This potentially could mean we see a lot more immigration.”
MAC chief Alan Manning said yesterday’s proposals reflected growing shortages across the UK.
And he said Brexit result meant fewer EU workers were coming to Britain under ‘free movement’ rules.
But Westminster insiders said it confirmed their fears that Britain’s hard-won immigration controls will be softened significantly when Theresa May steps down.
2.5M JOBS ADDED TO SHORTAGE LIST
Cabinet sources last year admitted she was “isolated” in demanding tough controls remain once the UK leaves the EU.
The Sun earlier this week revealed Home Secretary Sajid Javid wants the MAC to rip up proposals for a £30,000 minimum salary threshold for EU migrants once Britain cuts ties with Brussels.
The MAC also last year proposed binning the cap on skilled workers from the EU altogether.
Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Kings College said the changes to the shortage list were a “major and much needed further opening to skilled immigration.”
He said: “This expands the list of high priority occupations nearly 10 fold.
“With EU migration falling, the UK needs more skilled non-EU workers.”
The Sun Says
IT’S a damning verdict on our education and training that we’ve had to expand our skills shortage list for foreign workers.
Web designers? Vets? Can we not train our own?
Let’s be clear: it’s a wonderful vote of confidence in this country that the best and the brightest want to come here. They’re more than welcome.
But as this move proves, we need to get our own house in order.
Do any of the Tory leadership candidates have a plan?
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Alp Mehmet adds: “If these recommendations were accepted, it would amount to a turning point in immigration policy.
“The control of numbers would, in effect, be abandoned and the incentive for UK employers to train UK workers would be even further reduced.
Employers would be happy but many people would be aghast at this disregard for public concern about the present massive level of immigration.”
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