PM rebuffs businesses’ offer to develop immigration plan

BORIS JOHNSON has brushed off an offer by Britain’s five largest business organisations to develop a new border system that would slash low-skilled immigration after Brexit.

The CBI, British Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and Make UK – and about 30 trade associations, from hoteliers to universities, employing millions of people – offered to help the Government to create a new system that helps companies across all sectors and regions of the UK after Brexit.

However, a senior government source said the groups should stop lobbying and instead focus on jobs for workers who are already in the UK.

The source said: “Our new immigration system will be open to top talent from across the world, but business lobby groups should stop lobbying for unlimited labour from the EU and instead focus on investing and levelling up the existing workforce.”

The Government’s migration advisory committee is due to consider a new points-based immigration system which would be introduced in 2021. Ministers will carefully consider its recommendations, due to be published next week, before setting out further detail.

The groups’ letter to Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, sent last night, sets out four priorities including a minimum salary threshold for migrants “that support the economy” and flexibility for skilled workers to enter the UK through a points-based system.

Other proposals include a temporary visa route for some immigrants, and a “radically reformed sponsorship process” in place for January next year.

The letter added: “The economy needs a simple, streamlined and affordable system that meets businesses’ needs of all sizes, sectors and across all UK regions and nations.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We will deliver on the people’s priorities by introducing a points-based immigration system, attracting the brightest and best talent from around the world, while cutting low-skilled immigration.

“This firmer and fairer system will let us decide who comes to this country based on their skills and the contribution they can make.”

Yesterday, the Queen gave the Withdrawal Agreement Royal Assent, while in Brussels, an influential European Parliament committee told MEPS to back the Brexit Bill and remove the last obstacle to Britain leaving the EU.