The ambitious migratory reforms of the United Kingdom government are at risk of damaging economic growth and the deepening of the country’s skills crisis that do not coincide with a fundamental review of the national training system, they have warned the main business groups.
After the announcement of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of a “Comprehensive Plan” to reduce immigration, the Institute of Directors (IOD) said the proposals could use the shortage of labor already criticized in the key sectors.
Alex Hall-Chen, main policy advisor for skills and employment in the IOD, said: “These plans run the risk of damaging already fragile economic growth by further limiting employers’ ability to fill out the deliveries of urgent skills. For this ability, Govenilligs immigration systems and encourage employers to invest in training programs for the National Workforce.”
According to new plans, migrants who enter the United Kingdom in all types of visas will face stricter restrictions, with a floors that general numbers will fall. But business leaders say that without rapid reforms on how domestic workers are trained, these measures could leave employers without qualified work, the need to compete and grow.
Stephen Phipson, executive director of Make UK, the manufacturers organization, said that many companies only resort to recruitment abroad because or chronic failures in the United Kingdom national training pipe.
“The learning tax, as is currently structured, has been disastrous. It has made it more difficult, not easier, for companies to access the training they need,” said Phipson. He asked that the next industrial strategy of the government include a clear and urgent plan to build the United Kingdom’s technical skills base, warning that “in the face of a crisis, the response must be significant, structural and rapid.”
British cameras echoed these concerns. Jane Gratton, deputy director of public policies, supported the general objective of reducing the dependence of the United Kingdom in immigration, but warned against acting too fast.
“It is vital that the rhythm of change in the immigration system does not reduce access to global talent before the broader labor market problems in the United Kingdom are properly addressed,” he said. “Companies need access to correct skills, and for some, that will include the hiring of International when local recruitment fails.”
The Confederation of the British Industry (CBI) has also raised the red flags, particularly on additional restrictions on students’ visas, which says that university finances endanger and reinforce harmful narratives around the use of migrant workers.
“The reality for companies is that it is more extent and difficult to fill a vacancy with immigration than if they could hire locally or train workers,” said Rain Newton-Smith, executive director of CBI. “Labor scarcity cannot only be resolved through training. With the workforce of the United Kingdom that will be reduced in the coming decades as our population ages, it is more important than ever that we support the business investment necessary to underpin the adoption and technological training.”
Government’s proposals are being closely observed by business leaders and policies equally. Although the ministers have been clear about the need to reduce migration, the consensus between the voices of the industry is that doing so without addressing structural failures in skill policy could awaken, instead of strengthening, the long -term economic resilience of the United Kingdom.
Jamie Young
Jamie is a senior reporter of Business Matters, who brings more than a decade of experience in commercial reports of the United Kingdom. Jamie has a business administration title and participates regularly in conferences and industry workshops. When he does not inform about the last business development, Jamie is passionate about the mentoring of promising journalists and businessmen to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
