Consultation - 
Annual limit on economic migration to the
UK
Response due: 7 September 2010
Semta response submitted: 7 September 2010
Summary
On 20 May the Coalition Government published a
paper which made a commitment to introduce
an annual limit on the number of non-EU economic migrants admitted
to the UK to live and work.
The paper states “We will introduce an annual limit on the number
of non-EU economic migrants
admitted into the UK to live and work. We will consider jointly the
mechanism for implementing the
limit.”
On 28 June the Government launched a consultation
on the limits on non-EU economic migration,
through Tiers 1 and 2 of the Points Based System. It is consulting
on how limits should be
implemented, including the mechanism for doing so. At the same
time, the Government
commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to provide advice on
the levels at which limits
should be set for the first full year of their operation, and in
doing so, to consider the social
and public service impacts of migration as well as the economic
impacts. The Government
has asked the Committee to provide this advice by the end of
September.
Two consultations on this important issue therefore ran side by
side - the MAC consultation, and a second from the UK Border
Agency.
Semta responded to these consultations utilising
our knowledge of skills demands and shortage occupations in
science, engineering and manufacturing technology sectors.
Next steps
The MAC is expected to publish its report on 18th November
2010.
Documents and Links
Semta response to the MAC consultation
Semta response to the UKBA consultation
Consultation
document
Semta represents the views of our employers across government
and the media. If you are an employer in the science,
engineering, or manufacturing technology sectors we welcome your
views at policy@semta.org.uk
4 November 2010