The CIPD and over 30 business bodies such as the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) have signed a letter to Priti Patel, Home Secretary offering to help design the new immigration system.
The signatories of the letter welcome the news that the Government is planning to scrap the £30,000 minimum salary threshold for migrant workers following Brexit.
The letter sets out four points that it believes will help to make sure the new system works from day one for the UK and other nations.
They are:
- A minimum salary threshold can work if it is set at a level that supports the economy and protects wages
- Flexibility for skilled workers to enter the UK through a points-based system
- A temporary visa route which supports all sectors of the economy
- A radically reformed sponsorship process in place for the first day of operation
The letter states:
Recent announcements have increased optimism. A new two-year post-study work visa for international students, dropping the target to reduce net migration to the “tens of thousands” and signals that the £30,000 minimum salary test may change are welcome and have sent positive and important signals around the world that the UK is open for business.
Business understands that the immigration system must change in order to re-build public confidence. Insight from enterprise can help build a points-based model that provides greater control, whilst providing access to the labour and skills needed to support the economy. And this can go hand in hand with a continued determination to invest in training home grown talent.
The economy needs a simple, streamlined and affordable system that meets business’ needs of all sizes, sectors and across all UK regions and nations.
We look forward to working with the new government to inform the detailed design of a new immigration system in a way that commands public confidence and supports the UK’s global ambitions.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
