The Law Society
has welcomed the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC)
recommendation to maintain the current limit on the number of
places for skilled migrant workers from outside the
EU.
Responding today to a
report published by the MAC, the Society said public concerns about
immigration will not be addressed by restrictions on business
restricting skilled professionals coming into the UK from
outside the EU.
The MAC report,
published this morning, concluded that the annual limit of 20,700
visas for tier 2 skilled workers should remain in place for another
year, even though only half that allocation is being taken up
currently.
Law Society Chief
Executive Desmond Hudson commented: “In our evidence to the
MAC we said that given the poor economic starting point , it would
be unwise to base future visa allocations on present consumption.
Like other sectors, law firms are facing significant challenges
across all areas of their business as a result of the global
economic recession. It must make sense to afford them the greatest
flexibility to be able to recruit quickly when conditions
improve and business increases. As the MAC report recognises,
these are the very people who are most likely to contribute to
economic growth.”
He added: “We also
welcome MAC's acknowledgement that the last 18 months have seen a
rapid succession of changes in work-related immigration policy
which have proven disruptive to business, and that perhaps the time
has come for the government to take stock before making further
significant changes to Tier 2.
“The government's
commitment to reducing net migration to the tens of thousands is
explicitly based on public concerns about immigration. Our view is
that such concerns are about illegal immigration, abuse of the
immigration system and the associated calls upon public services,
and the impact of EU migration on resident workers' access to low
and semi-skilled jobs. Those concerns are not addressed by further
restrictions on the business migration routes for professionals
coming into the UK from outside the EU.”
Notes
The Migration Advisory
Committee (MAC) is a non-departmental public body that advises the
Government on migration issues. The questions it address are
determined by the Government.
Government immigration
policy is to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands within
the lifetime of the current Parliament. Figures published last week
showed that net migration remains steady at about 250
000.
Under the immigration
points-based system, Tier 2 workers are skilled workers tied to a
specific employer or job. The MAC report said that ' Given
that the limit is currently heavily under-subscribed, it would need
to be cut substantially in order to be certain of there being any
impact on net migration. On the basis of partner evidence, there is
a risk that a cut in the limit of such a magnitude would be
economically damaging in terms of promoting the UK as an attractive
place to invest and do business. The reduction in the numbers would
also reduce tax revenues from Tier 2 migrants, who tend to be
relatively highly paid. '
The Government is
expected to announce shortly its intentions concerning rights of
settlement for Tier 2 migrants:http://www.lawsocietymedia.org.uk/Press.aspx?ID=1586
London is one of the two
largest centres for legal services along with New York. In terms of
fee revenue, two of the top five firms amongst the largest 100
global firms are based in London. In terms of head count, UK firms
hold two of the top four places. Overall, UK firms generate 14% of
the Global 100 gross revenue, based on fee revenue in
2009/2010.
The Law Society is the
independent professional body, established for solicitors in 1825,
that works globally to support and represent its members, promoting
the highest professional standards and the rule of
law.
Contact: Catherine Reed,
The Law Society
+44 (0)20 7320
5902