Business groups' pleas for details of immigration proposals
Business groups are demanding more information about future immigration proposals after the Conservative party confirmed it would look to an Australian-style points system.
The party has suggested it would look to divide migrants into three categories. Entrepreneurs, investors and award-winners in some fields would be given fast-track entry while skilled workers such as health professionals would be eligible for visas. Those deemed to be low or unskilled would be subject to sector-specific rules aimed at filling shortages that UK workers can not plug.
Commenting on the plans, UKHospitality 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."
British Chambers of Commerce's director general Adam Marshall told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it's "inexcusable" that businesses do not know what the rules around immigration will be next year.
