A group that champions businesses across the UK has said that the Conservatives plans for implementing an Australian-style, points based system, which means that companies do not know who they will be able to hire next year.
This is the opinion of Adam Marshall, director general at the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC). The BCC holds the view that not giving businesses a “route map” for what that means is not “good enough.”
The Conservatives have said this system would be “fairer”. Rishi Sunak, the Conservative chief secretary has said this new system would result in visas being processed a lot quicker than previously.
It would split migrant workers in to three categories, entrepreneurs, investors and people who have won awards in certain fields. These people would be fast tracked in to the UK.
Skilled workers such as doctors, nurses and other health professionals who have already received a job offer will be placed in another category, and those with an NHS visa will receive a fast-tracked entry.
For low or unskilled workers, rules specific to the sector will be put in place where these workers will be used to fill gaps where UK workers cannot be found.
The BCC fear that this system is far from clear and leaves businesses in the dark.
Adam Marshall, director general of BCC said:
What we really do need to see is an immigration system that offers businesses clarity and simplicity. Simply saying you’re going to have an Australian-style, points-based system – without giving businesses a route map for what that means for them – is not good enough, frankly.
Matthew Fell, chief UK policy director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) believes these plans focus too heavily on skilled workers, he said:
As important as attracting high-skilled workers is, low-level skills are still very much in demand for business.
Workers needed to boost economic growth must feel welcome in the UK,” Mr Fell said. “Until there is more detail, these plans will leave them nervous.
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.
