Pace Of Immigration Changes Must Work For Business

Responding to the publication of the Immigration White Paper, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Businesses are keen to unlock more home-grown talent and will welcome the broad direction of travel in today’s White Paper.

“A commitment to drive better strategic planning on immigration is a prize we have been chasing for years. More joined up planning and decision making between the Migration Advisory Committee, Skills England and government is needed. Only then will firms get access to the skills they need, where and when they need them.

“Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), mostly led by Chambers, are in a prime position to help with that strategic planning.

“However, it’s vital that the pace of change in the immigration system does not cut off access to global talent before the UK’s wider labour market problems are properly addressed.

“To grow the economy, firms need access to the right skills, and for some businesses that will include bringing people from outside the UK. This is usually as a last resort when they have tried all they can to recruit from the local labour market. Our surveys show only 13% of Chamber member businesses access the immigration system. When considering only SMEs, the figure falls to 9%.

“The further rise in fees to use what is already a hugely expensive immigration system, will place additional burdens on firms who need to fill urgent vacancies. That comes at a time when businesses are already facing mounting cost pressures.

“Government must adopt an urgent, laser-like focus on tackling the UK’s pervasive skills crisis. This means supporting more people back into work, a greater focus on technical and vocational education pathways to employment and, crucially, a more flexible and responsive Apprenticeship Levy.

“Today’s announcement also doesn’t change our long-held call from businesses to see a balanced Youth Mobility scheme between the UK and the EU. That should cover school visits and exchanges, and a time-limited ability for young people to work.”