Responding to the Migration Advisory
Committee’s review of salary
thresholds and a points-based system, Edwin Morgan, Director of
Policy at the Institute of Directors, said:
“The MAC’s proposals have taken account of the views of
business and as a result there are some sensible recommendations,
including introducing points-based visas alongside the
employee-sponsored route. We’re pleased they are proposing a
lower salary threshold for Tier 2 visas, although this may still
pose a challenge in some areas.
“The Government should take up the MAC’s recommendation of
piloting visas for specific areas. Our members in Scotland and
Northern Ireland in particular have raised concerns about the
system not taking account of the different circumstances firms
there face.
“The overriding concern for business is bureaucracy. The
Government must ensure that whatever plans it takes forward,
firms aren’t faced with a byzantine system when they need talent
to grow. Implementing a new system and adapting to it will be a
race against the clock for both Government and businesses.
“As the report says, there is no perfect immigration
system, and it’s extremely hard for governments to predict what
skills businesses will need in future. The Government have been
clear they want to restrict immigration, but this will always
involve trade-offs in terms of economic dynamism.”
