Rishi Sunak’s government is understood to be planning to welcome in more foreign builders to tackle a chronic post-Brexit labour shortage in Britain's construction industry.
Despite the crackdown on illegal immigration routes, the government is said to be ready to add construction workers to a "shortage occupation list" in a bid to boost sluggish housebuilding. The building sector has suffered from an acute lack of workers since Brexit caused many European labourers to return to the EU.
The government's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended that bricklayers, plasterers, roofers and other construction workers should be added to the shortage list, according to the Financial Times. Citing government insiders, the report said home secretary Suella Braverman is expected to accept the idea of allowing building firms to bring in more overseas workers.
The Independent understands the government is planning to reveal the results of a review on the "shortage occupation list" within weeks, and changes could be announced around the time of chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Budget next week. The shortage occupation list allows companies to get visas for staff being paid the lower threshold of £20,480 a year. The salary needed to obtain a "skilled worker" visa is £25,600.
The construction industry has been pushing hard for industry workers to be added to the shortage list. The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has previously said it was a mistake to cut off labour from the EU after Brexit without addressing the UK's skills shortage. The FMB trade body said yesterday that the proposal to ease immigration rules would be a huge boost for the construction sector.
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin March 10, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin March 10, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
CONTINENTAL SHIFT
Abass Baraou and Macaulay McGowan's European title bout will turn a Bolton ring into a time machine, says Steve Bunce
Tactical puzzle at the centre of Spain's trophy ambitions
We're a little over a decade since Spain's back-to-back triumphs at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 and the national team have been through an entire lifecycle since then, it feels.
Ten Hag to remain United manager after season review
Manchester United are in talks with Erik ten Hag about a new contract after deciding that he will remain their manager for next season. United concluded their end-of-season review by determining that Ten Hag is the right man to take them forward under the new regime led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.
From Hampden to Munich, one fan's trek for extra time
Craig Ferguson hopes his 1,000-mile Euro 2024 trek raises awareness of men’s mental health and suicide prevention
Next PM needs to tackle unemployment rise, fast...
Another blow for Rishi Sunak – this time, in the form of new labour market data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Malawi vice-president dies with nine others in air crash
Malawi's vice-president, Saulos Chilima, was among 10 people killed when a small military plane crashed in a mountainous region in the north of the country, the president said yesterday.
'We will not take breaks, we will not stop to drink water'
Amazon workers in India claim they were forced to pledge to keep going till their targets were met during a 50C heatwave
Leader of centre-right party courts alliance with Le Pen
France's left-wing politicians focused on thwarting far right
Blinken says Gaza ceasefire rests on Hamas leadership
Secretary of state hails 'hopeful sign' as UN backs resolution
Hunter Biden found guilty in historic federal gun trial
President's son convicted on all charges and faces maximum sentence of 25 years behind bars and fines of up to $750,000