UK business has urged government to be flexible in setting rules
that will make it difficult to employ IT staff from outside the
European Union.
This comes after IT workers were left off of a recommended
skills shortlist submitted to government by independent
economic advisors this week.
The list was drawn up by the
Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) tasked with providing advice
to government on labour shortages in the UK.
If accepted next month, the list will form the basis for the new
point-based migration system to be introduced in November.
The point-based system is aimed at encouraging firms to employ
people from the UK before they offer the job to anyone from
overseas.
This means foreign workers with skills on the shortlist such as
civil engineers will find it easier to qualify to work in the UK
than IT workers.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it supports
the government aims to develop local skills, but said it is
important that flexibility is retained so firms can adapt to
changes.
Katja Hall, CBI director of employment, said that although
migrant workers have brought great benefits to the UK economy, they
are not a long-term solution to the UK's skills problems.
"We have to upskill our home-grown workforce if we are to stay
globally competitive," she said.
The Federation of Small Businesses said it respects the MAC's
judgement, but that it would like an evaluation of this on a
monthly basis as the demand for IT skills can change very
rapidly.
Ollie Ross, head of research for
The Corporate IT Forum, said, "We cannot yet be sure what
impact this restriction on the IT skills market will have on
British businesses. However, if the decision does appear to be
affecting the competitiveness of UK businesses - especially at a
time of a global economic slowdown - then we would urge the
government to reconsider."
Liam Byrne, border and immigration minister said, "Crucially,
the points system means only the migrants with the skills Britain
needs can come - and no more. Unlike made-up quotas, this stops
government cutting business off from the skills it needs when they
need them."
The recommended skills list defines which positions cannot be
filled by resident workers and reduces the number of jobs open to
migrants from one million to 700,000.