May to consult with business groups on UK immigration cap
July 01 2010 by Liam Clifford
The Home Secretary
The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has responded to concerns from UK businesses about the planned cap on non-EU immigration, and has agreed a consultation period.
She will now hold a 12-week period of consultation, during which
business groups and companies will help her to devise the best way to put a
limit on the number of UK work visas issued.
At the same time there is
expected to be a second independent examination by the Migration Advisory
Committee. This is intended to help create a clearer picture of the economic
impact of a limit on the number of people coming in to work in the UK from
outside the EU.
The decision was made in response to concerns by business
groups. They claim that a cap may damage the UK’s reputation as a commercial
centre for trading partners such as China, Brazil and India. A cap would, after
all, make it much harder for businesses with interests in the UK to transfer
staff over to work in the UK.
The news of the consultation has been
widely welcomed. Lady Jo Valentine, the chief of London First, which represents
London’s large companies, said, "I hope this means they take a more nuanced
approach.” She continued, "Our biggest concern is the UK being seen to be open
for business. The rhetoric is as important as anything."
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