Immigration reforms must prioritise skills investment to enable growth says Chamber

A ‘comprehensive skills framework that can deliver the workforce of the future’ should be top of the list, East Midlands Chamber has said, in reaction to publication of the government’s white paper that aims to reduce migration into the UK.

New restrictions set out in the white paper include:

• Skilled worker visas restricted to graduates
• English language requirement for skilled workers and workers raised
• Qualifying period for UK settlement increased to 10 years
• Graduates limited to 18-month stay after completion of studies
• Closure of care worker visas

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Businesses always try to fill roles from their local and regional workforce first, but shortages in labour and skills continue to present a huge challenge.  In the East Midlands, nearly 7 out of 10 firms that tried to recruit struggled to find suitable candidates – at both skilled and non-skilled level – as evidenced in the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for the region.

“It’s clear that the level of qualified candidates for the roles available needs to increase, but how this is approached is critical. To deliver the workforce of the future, there must be a comprehensive skills framework that supports education and businesses to deliver on the demand; for example, delivering the reform to the apprenticeship levy to give business the much-needed flexibility that mirrors the need of the workforce. 

“It is also essential that changes don’t hamper business operation or particular sectors, such as care or construction by closing the door on available talent that meets their needs at this time.”