Responding to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s Final Report on EEA Migration in the UK

Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) chief executive Neil Carberry says:

 

“The MAC’s recognition that free movement from Europe hasn’t reduced employment opportunities, training or wages for people in the UK is a timely resetting of the debate. That, on balance, immigration has a raised UK productivity is a reminder of the contribution that migrants bring.

 

“The MAC’s role was to make policy recommendations based on economics alone –without reference to the politics of the UK’s relations with the EU – so today’s report must be read in that context. It is now up to the government to use the report’s findings to create a truly effective immigration strategy.

 

“The UK’s economic success depends on ensuring we protect our modern, flexible jobs market which drives growth and prosperity. This means having an immigration system that allows employers to recruit for roles at all skill levels depending on the needs of the economy. Today’s report acknowledges this – though we feel that more sectors will need controlled access to lower skilled labour and that the government should still seek to secure a comprehensive mobility deal in the EU exit agreement, given how deeply linked our economies are.

 

“Businesses across the country will welcome the MAC’s recommendation to remove the unpopular and ineffective Tier 2 visa cap, expand shortage lists to include more middle-skilled roles and to expand the Tier 5 youth mobility scheme to EU nationals. However, we must also recognise that the Tier 5 visa scheme was not designed for low-skilled workers, and only allowing low-skilled work through Tier 5 will risk damaging integration and progression routes for migrant workers.

 

“Significant questions will need to be answered about the practicalities and detail of these reforms in order to reassure businesses that their needs will be fulfilled in post-Brexit Britain. At the very least, a radical simplification of Tier 2 will be needed to ensure all businesses – including the very smallest – can access it.”

 

Ends

 

Notes to editors: 

 

1.   For more information, contact the REC Press Office on 0207 009 2157/2192 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com.An ISDN line is available for interviews on 0207 021 0584

 

 

2.   Jobs transform lives, which is why we are building the best recruitment industry in the world. As the professional body for recruitment we’re determined to make businesses more successful by helping them secure the people they need. We are absolutely passionate and totally committed in this pursuit for recruiters, employers,and the people they hire. Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com.