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Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of External Relations stresses:  “It’s essential that the public doesn’t lose confidence in the current migration system, but at the same time, we need to be careful that these concerns do not overshadow the benefits that managed migration brings to the UK market. 

 “Each month, the REC/KPMG Report on Jobs highlights skills shortage across a number of key sectors which migrant workers from the EU and beyond can help to meet.  

“A major concern for recruitment professionals on the frontline of the labour market is that the government’s proposed points-based immigration system could actually make it more difficult to recruit much needed staff in key sectors such as social care and hospitality. “ 

Tom Hadley continued: “The new system also focuses heavily on highly skilled workers but there are still a number of areas where lesser skilled workers from beyond the EU are needed. If we are to really meet the current skills shortages it is vital that the UK continues to accept migrant workers and that there are thorough systems in place to regulate this.” 

The REC is represented on a number of official working groups and committees  including the Home Office’s Illegal Working Stakeholder Group and Employer Taskforce, and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s Vulnerable Workers Enforcement Forum.

Last week, the REC provided evidence before the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs on the economic impact of migrant workers and the industry’s perspective on key areas of skills shortages.