UKHospitality (UKH) has welcomed Conservative proposals for the UK’s future immigration system, but urged the party to deliver more detail on how the system would work.
Under proposals reported in The Times, lower skilled workers would be granted short-term visas in sectors suffering a shortage. The Migration Advisory Committee would also be empowered to set visa numbers in key sectors.
Commenting on the plans, UKH's Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said, “Confirmation that the aspiration remains a migration regime open to talent to meet the needs of the economy is welcome. We need more detail on how this will work in practice, though, if it is to be in place to start 2021.
“A fair and managed system at all salary and skilled levels, hand-in-hand with investment in skills and training, is a must. This will avoid exacerbating skills shortages, keep the economy at full strength and allow hospitality to continue its work boosting the domestic workforce.
“The next Government must ensure that the immigration system is evidence-led and values skills at all levels. An independent Migration Advisory Committee, which considers the entire range of issues around immigration, is essential for a successful post-Brexit immigration policy.”