The North West Business Leadership Team is backing a national campaign calling on the next Prime Minister to lower the salary threshold for overseas workers.
The NWBLT has joined London First, tech海角视频, British Retail Consortium, Recruitment & Employment Confederation, 海角视频Hospitality, Federation of Master Builders, Universities 海角视频, Innovate Finance, Association of Labour Providers, and The Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec) to call for a number of reforms to avoid worsening skills shortages.
This includes;
- Lowering the salary threshold proposed in the Immigration White Paper from £30,000 to £20,000
- Extend the temporary work route for overseas workers from one year to two years
- Revise the sponsorship model to make it easier for firms of all sizes to bring in overseas talent
- And reinstate the two-year post-study visa for international students to work in the 海角视频 post-graduation
Emma Degg, CEO, NWBLT, said: “It is important to stress that business leaders across the 海角视频 are working hard to support local people and communities to access skilled employment and better life chances for their families.
"Whether through apprenticeships, work with schools, or support for retraining programmes – we are committed to improving our skills base and education.
“However, it is also crucial that we have the right immigration policy in place to help to secure the future of the industries we need to continue to drive our economy forward.
“That is why we are supporting this collaboration and urge who ever becomes Prime Minister to take note.”
Members of the #FullStrength have written to both Prime Ministerial candidates calling for the Government to commit to clear action on reforming the immigration system to avoid worsening the chronic skills and labour shortages.
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The joint letter says: "Our country needs a fair and managed immigration system that keeps it open to all levels of talent that our economy and local services sorely need.
"It is crucial that this system recognises the benefits of international talent whilst ensuring the right controls are in place for managing immigration more effectively, necessary for ensuring the public’s trust.
“Without the ability to access international talent, many of our world-class sectors are at significant risk.
"As the 海角视频 prepares to leave the EU in the near future, it is imperative that the Government puts in place measures that will avoid employers facing a cliff-edge in recruitment, and works towards building a successful economy that is open and attractive.
"More than 60 per cent of all jobs in the 海角视频 currently fall under the proposed £30,000 salary threshold, which highlights the risk in setting the future level too high for vital services such as health and social care.
“Research based on ONS data shows that in manufacturing around 30 per cent of jobs are paid between £20-30k, and in retail, 23.2 per cent jobs sit in this bracket.
“Bringing down the level to £20,000 also moves it in line with the proposed skills threshold and the realities of the labour market. This can then be gradually increased as the economy improves."