Recruitment Employment Confederation warns of migrant worker shortage despite new points-based system

The government’s much-heralded new immigration system could further damage industries suffering from acute skills shortages, an expert has warned.

Anne Fairweather, head of policy at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said the hospitality, social care and construction sectors were in desperate need of migrant workers.

Immigration minister Liam Byrne this week said the points-based system, which will come into force in early 2008, would ensure the right people were coming into the UK.

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But Fairweather said: “There is a real danger that the points-based system will not deliver the workers that are needed in areas such as hospitality and social care. Construction is also an area of increasing concern.

“As more and more construction projects are commissioned, from schools and house building, to power stations and the Olympics, the labour needs of this sector should be kept under close review.”