Hospitality labour shortfall aggravated by new immigration plans

Yesterday (4 December) the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, presented a five-point plan to reduce immigration that included a review of the "underperforming" jobs list.

Yesterday, Monday 4 December, in the Commons, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced that the minimum wage required to qualify for a skilled worker visa to be brought to Britain is going up, by almost

50%, from £26.200 to £38.700.

Following the announcement UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said about 95% of the 8.500 hospitality visas issued last year would no longer qualify for subsidies under the new plans.

Chief executive Kate Nikololls said: "The Government seem to be running out of answers to fix the UK's long-running labour market shortages.

In a statement to MPs, the Home Secretary said immigration in Britain was 'far too high' and immigration to the country 'must drop

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) echoed UKHospitality's comments regarding the recruitment implications.

Emma McClarkin, head of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the changes would make it untenable for many hospitality companies to attract staff from overseas.