Government calls for evidence on benefits of migrant workers in UK

By Georgina Townshend

- Last updated on GMT

Important contribution: ALMR praises Government's call for evidence on migrant workers
Important contribution: ALMR praises Government's call for evidence on migrant workers

Related tags Licensed multiple retailers European union

A Government consultation calling for evidence into the benefits of migrant workers in the UK is an “encouraging first step”, according to leading trade bodies.

Last month the Government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise on the economic and social impacts of the UK’s exit from the European Union and also on how the UK’s immigration system should be aligned with a “modern industrial strategy”.

This call for evidence identifies the sort of information that the MAC will find “most helpful” to receive during the initial phase of its consideration of the government’s commission.

Need for access

Coinciding with the launch of its call for evidence last week (August 4), the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has written to the MAC highlighting the “important economic contribution” being made by eating-and-drinking-out businesses, and the need for access to EU workers in order to secure growth.

The letter also confirms the ALMR’s intention to provide evidence to the MAC’s consultation to secure a deal for eating-and-drinking-out businesses.

“This is an encouraging first step from the Government and shows that decision-makers are ready to listen to the concerns of employers,” said ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls.

“Food-and-drink businesses in the UK are the second-largest employer of EU workers and the fifth highest as a percentage of the workforce.

“It is vital that the Government understands the concerns of the UK’s eating-and-drinking-out businesses and the need for continued access to non-UK workers.”

Opportunity to engage

Nicholls said the ALMR’s letter provided the MAC with the information they need to make an “informed decision on an immigration policy that suits employers”.

“We have offered our full support as the voice of eating-and-drinking-out venues and will be responding to the consultation to make sure our members’ voices are heard,” continued Nicholls.

“This is a good opportunity to engage with the Government on an issue that is going to have a huge effect on UK businesses and influence an immigration policy that will have longstanding consequences.”

The consultation ends at 11.59pm on 27 October 2017.

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