Legal News

Research by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has revealed that just 28% of London businesses employ migrant workers from outside the UK – contrary to fears that Britain is being “swamped” by foreign workers.

The research also found that workers from overseas bring skills to the jobs market which are “critical” to the success of the UK’s businesses – and enable the UK to compete in an increasingly global market.

Businesses said that the main reasons for employing foreign workers were the language skills they bring (29%) – as well as filling skills gaps (27%) and a worker’s job experience (23%).

Larger firms are more likely to require a highly-skilled workforce – especially the IT, health, education and communications sectors.

However, the research also found that many businesses are finding recruiting staff from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) is more difficult because of government red tape – businesses which had recruited skilled staff from non-EU countries requiring tier 2 or tier 5 visas found immigration law and tax complexities made recruitment difficult, including establishing the worker’s right to work in the UK as a skilled migrant.

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s chief executive Colin Stanbridge said:

“A pool of workers with a diverse range of skills and experience is critical to London businesses' success in this increasingly competitive global marketplace.

“However, the perception that migrant workers are propping up huge swathes of the London labour market is misplaced.”

The LCCI says the government needs to equip native British workers with the skills needed to compete in an increasingly global market – including learning essential workplace skills from the age of seven. More foreign language education in UK schools is needed, also.

The LCCI said that the Home Office should simplify non-EU worker visa application procedures – including allowing recruitment of skilled foreign workers by smaller business by scrapping the necessity of advertising jobs in the UK under the Resident Labour Market Test.

The LCCI added that the Home Office should also relax the immigration procedures for foreign business people – and simplify application procedures for key trade partner countries to enable foreign workers and business people to come to the UK without current restrictions.

LCCI figures show that the average London business comprises 88% UK citizens, 8% EU citizens and 4% non-EU citizens. A total of 72% of London businesses comprise UK citizens only.

"We cannot, however, overstate the importance of migrant labour to London's economy,” added Mr Stanbridge

“Although only a small proportion of businesses employ non-UK staff, those that do are seeking skills and experience that are in short supply in the domestic labour market.”

Duncan Lewis Immigration Lawyers

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• Asylum and asylum appeals
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For expert legal advice on UK immigration law, call Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers on 020 7923 4020.