Hospitality industry left uncertain over government immigration plans
The prime minister has published an unclear Immigration White Paper
Following the government's latest announcement on its plans to reduce immigration across the UK, hospitality operators have been left in the dark as to how it could affect their businesses.
The prime minister has published an Immigration White Paper, with Keir Starmer saying that "living in this country is a privilege that must be earned".
The government's plans aim to "reduce reliance on overseas recruitment, prioritise those who contribute to Britain’s economy and put more money in the pockets of working people".
The new system will end automatic settlement and citizenship for anyone living here for five years. Instead, people must spend a decade in the UK before applying to stay unless they can show a real and lasting contribution to the economy and society.
While hospitality got no mention throughout the day's announcements, Westminster has said departments across government will engage sector bodies as part of its approach.
Imposing restrictions
"We understand the government’s intention to reduce migration, which comes on the back of additional restraints on hospitality last year," says Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality. "When imposing these restrictions, the government has to bring forward an employment and skills strategy to further drive domestic recruitment.
"Hospitality recruits more than three-quarters of its workforce from within the UK and measures like apprenticeship levy reform, the introduction of foundational apprenticeships and investment in pre-employment training can allow us to go even further.
"Against a backdrop of £3bn in additional employment costs hitting hospitality businesses, such a strategy is critical if the government is to achieve its goal of getting more people out of welfare and into work."
Under a new framework to be rolled out, high-skilled, high-contributing individuals who "play by the rules" will be fast-tracked, such as nurses, doctors, engineers and AI leaders.
The government has said it will also raise English language requirements across every immigration route to ensure those wishing to live and work in the UK speak a higher standard of English.
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