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Foreign worker limits introduced Foreign worker limits introduced
(10 minutes later)
New restrictions aimed at cutting the number of foreign workers coming to the UK from outside the EU are to be announced by the government. New advice to the government aimed at cutting the number of foreign workers coming to the UK from outside the EU are due to be announced later.
The types of businesses which can use foreign workers because of skill or labour shortages will be listed.The types of businesses which can use foreign workers because of skill or labour shortages will be listed.
It means employers whose jobs are not on the list will find it more difficult to bring in foreign workers in future.It means employers whose jobs are not on the list will find it more difficult to bring in foreign workers in future.
The government says this system is more effective than simply bringing in limits on overall numbers.The government says this system is more effective than simply bringing in limits on overall numbers.
The shortage occupation list has been compiled by the Migration Advisory Committee.The shortage occupation list has been compiled by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Professor David Metcalf, the chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee, said that an employer would have to meet three hurdles to be able to hire somebody from outside Europe.Professor David Metcalf, the chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee, said that an employer would have to meet three hurdles to be able to hire somebody from outside Europe.
"Firstly the job has got to be skilled, secondly there has got to be a shortage, and thirdly and perhaps most importantly, it has to be sensible to bring a person in - there we are looking at the tension between the short-run fix of bringing immigrants in and the long-run need to upskill the economy," he said."Firstly the job has got to be skilled, secondly there has got to be a shortage, and thirdly and perhaps most importantly, it has to be sensible to bring a person in - there we are looking at the tension between the short-run fix of bringing immigrants in and the long-run need to upskill the economy," he said.
The changes, which involved looking at 12 different indicators, will result in a more skilled labour supply, he added.The changes, which involved looking at 12 different indicators, will result in a more skilled labour supply, he added.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme According to the list, maths and science teachers are still needed, but teachers with other subjects will face restrictions.FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme According to the list, maths and science teachers are still needed, but teachers with other subjects will face restrictions.
Foreign midwives, social workers and IT technicians are all no longer needed, according to the list.Foreign midwives, social workers and IT technicians are all no longer needed, according to the list.
Only care workers earning at least £8.80 an hour will be allowed to come to Britain from later this year - a salary level most care-home owners will not be able to pay.Only care workers earning at least £8.80 an hour will be allowed to come to Britain from later this year - a salary level most care-home owners will not be able to pay.
"It is so far above what the medium pay levels are within care homes for senior care workers, it is just not going to be achievable," said Mandy Thorn, a board member of the National Care Association."It is so far above what the medium pay levels are within care homes for senior care workers, it is just not going to be achievable," said Mandy Thorn, a board member of the National Care Association.
She said the sector has tried to recruit from the UK and Europe but had not been able to attract sufficient numbers. More staff are needed to support a growing number of vulnerable people, she added.She said the sector has tried to recruit from the UK and Europe but had not been able to attract sufficient numbers. More staff are needed to support a growing number of vulnerable people, she added.
Occupations which are allowed to use foreign workers due to shortages include ship and hovercraft officers and racehorse trainers.Occupations which are allowed to use foreign workers due to shortages include ship and hovercraft officers and racehorse trainers.
On Sunday an all-party group of MPs called for "balanced migration" and four-year limits for foreign workers.On Sunday an all-party group of MPs called for "balanced migration" and four-year limits for foreign workers.
The group said Britain will not be able to cope with an estimated seven million additional migrants forecast to arrive by 2031.The group said Britain will not be able to cope with an estimated seven million additional migrants forecast to arrive by 2031.