09 March 2023 , 16:05
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Ministers are on the brink of loosening rules to bring in thousands of overseas workers to tackle labour shortages - despite announcing draconian anti-immigration measures - it is claimed.
The government is expected to make the changes in a desperate effort to attract construction workers to the UK.
It comes as the sector reports chronic labour shortages which are hampering efforts to kickstart housebuilding.
Officials are weighing up adding jobs such as bricklayers, plasterers and roofers to a "critical occupation list" after a recommendation by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
This would make it easier for people in these trades to come to the UK to work.
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Suella Braverman is expected to accept the change, it is reported (PA)Home Secretary Suella Braverman is reportedly expected to accept the move after key industries said they were struggling in the aftermath of Brexit.
According to the Financial Times, the government has conceded that its planned measures to bring people back into work will not plug a 1.2 million gap in the labour force.
It will start by focussing on the construction industry, but more could follow.
The Home Builders Federation told the newspaper: “If we are to increase housing supply and deliver the government’s housing target it is essential we have continued access to skilled labour from abroad.”
There are mounting calls for the hospitality sector to be included as well, with UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls saying the "inescapable conclusion" is that there "aren’t enough people active in the economy to be able to fill all the roles that we need”.
Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce measures to get people back into work - but it won't plug the gap, industry chiefs say (Simon Dawson / No10 Downing Street)If the MAC recommendation is accepted, it could be adopted in the days after Jeremy Hunt's Budget next week, it is claimed.
Care workers, vets, civil engineers and graphic designers are already on the list.
The move would come despite a heavily-criticised move to deport thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in the UK by boat.
Ms Braverman this week unveiled her Illegal Immigration Bill, which would see people who arrive in small boats barred from claiming asylum and stopped from using Modern Slavery protection.
The bill has been criticised by the UN, while Ms Braverman herself was unable to definitively say if it was legal.
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A government spokesperson said: “We work closely with the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to ensure our points based system delivers for the UK and works in the best interests of the economy, by prioritising the skills and talent we need and encouraging long-term investment in the domestic workforce.
“This includes reviewing the shortage occupation list to ensure it reflects the current labor market. The MAC has published its call for evidence and we encourage all interested parties to respond.”