Brexit MQs Dec 16

London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report, ‘Permits, Points And Visas’ [1]

Question No: 2016/4848

Andrew Dismore

Do you agree with the recommendation of the recent London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report,  ‘Permits, Points And Visas’, that  you as the Mayor of London should champion a single-issue ‘London Work Visa’ granting ‘indefinite leave to remain’ to reassure current EU national employees and their London employers?

Written response from the Mayor

I welcome the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s report. I recognise that the long term status of EU nationals is a concern for employers and, of course, to EU nationals themselves. I have already made representations to the government that EU nationals living in London need to be assured of their long term leave to remain in the UK as a priority. However, I view this as a national policy decision and not restricted to those in employment – it will need to cover a broader range of statuses and the process kept as simple as possible to ensure compliance.

 

 

 

London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report, ‘Permits, Points And Visas’ [2]

Question No: 2016/4849

Andrew Dismore

Do you agree with the recommendation of the recent London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report, ‘Permits, Points And Visas’, that the Government should consider ‘Targeted Migration Area’ designation for the London Region within the UK Immigration system to manage London’s significant skills and labour requirements?

Written response from the Mayor

I welcome the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s report. The recommendation for the London Region to be a ‘Targeted Migration Area’ recognises two important issues: that London must remain open to skilled and experienced people from around the world; and the need for UKVI to be able to draw on expert advice and data covering the London region to inform migration policy and practice. I welcome these two insights which will be vital to ensure London continues to meet its significant skills and labour requirements – this is critical to the capital and the UK’s future economic prosperity.

 

 

 

London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report, ‘Permits, Points And Visas’ (3)

Question No: 2016/4850

Andrew Dismore

Do you agree with the recommendation of the recent London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report,  ‘Permits, Points And Visas’, that the Government should task the Migration Advisory Committee with maintaining a separate ‘Shortage Occupation List for London’ (as Scotland has) to attract the skills and talent necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the capital’s economy?

Written response from the Mayor

I welcome the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s report. The recommendation for the Migration Advisory Committee to maintain a separate ‘Shortage Occupation List for London’ recognises the particular skills and talent needs of the capital. The government must ensure that a future immigration system continues to attract talent and meet the skills needs of key London sectors where EU nationals currently play an important role. These include hospitality and construction where typical salaries will often be below the Tier 2 threshold, along with digital and creative job roles where the culture of shorter-term, freelance-based work may not currently fit the employer-sponsored route.

 

 

 

London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report, ‘Permits, Points And Visas’ (4)

Question No: 2016/4851

Andrew Dismore

Do you agree with the recommendation of the recent London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report,  ‘Permits, Points And Visas’, that  you as the Mayor of London should explore the potential for a dedicated ‘Capital Work Permits system’ to provide controlled access for future migrant workers and meet London employers’ need for skilled labour?

Written response from the Mayor

I welcome the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s report. The recommendation to explore the potential for a dedicated ‘Capital Work Permits system’ recognises the critical importance of skills and talent from around the world to London. This, in turn, has driven innovation and economic growth, not just in the capital but across the UK. Any future immigration system will need to ensure employers can access the talent and skills they need. However, it must be a mixed system of direct employer sponsorship and other routes to attract the brightest and the best from across the world.

 

 

 

London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report, ‘Permits, Points And Visas’ (5)

Question No: 2016/4852

Andrew Dismore

Do you agree with the recommendation of the recent London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Report,  ‘Permits, Points And Visas’, that the capital’s established business organisations (e.g.: LBAC) and  you as Mayor of London  together should seek UKVI licensing as the Work Permit Sponsorship body for the London Region?

Written response from the Mayor

I welcome the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s report as a valuable contribution to how London remains open to talent across the world. The recommendation that the capital’s established business organisations and I seek UKVI licensing as the Work Permit Sponsorship body for the Region recognises the central importance of immigration to London. As the report notes, non-UK migrant employees currently constitute 25% of the capital’s workforce, make an estimated £44bn GVA contribution and pay an estimated £13bn in direct tax revenues in the past year.  Ultimately, it is the job of the Government to deliver a flexible UK work visa system which enables London’s businesses to access the best talent the world has to offer. If they fail to do so then we must call on them to look at other options which protect London’s competitiveness.

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