Well managed migration good for the economy but new system must meet business needs says CBI
14/11/2005
According to report by the CBI, business backs well managed migration which benefits the economy and helps companies meet their skills and labour needs.
Publishing its response to the Government consultation on immigration today (Tuesday) the CBI also urged Government to safe-guard companies' flexibility to recruit from abroad and to use any reform of migration policies to improve the effectiveness of the system to prevent illegal working. Just under a fifth of employers (19 per cent) have recruited from outside the EU to fill skills and labour gaps, according to the CBI's Employment Trends survey.
Commenting on the consultation, CBI Director of Human Resources Policy, Susan Anderson said:
"Well managed migration helps fill labour and skills shortages and without it many firms particularly in sectors like construction and hospitality would suffer. But it is not a panacea and must be balanced with improved training and education for the UK's homegrown workforce.
"A single, points-based system could bring a range of applicants under one system for the first time. But the Government still needs to clarify certain aspects and prove that it understands the needs of business.
"The current system is overly complex and through reform Government must show that it can effectively police such a system. Some progress has been made in targeting and preventing illegal working but more still needs to be done. Making deliberate employment of illegal migrants a criminal offence is right but fines and enforcement must be targeted on rogue firms who operate outside the rules."
Source: CBI
