Consultations On Immigration Cap Comes To An End

18 Sep 2010

The consultations on the immigration cap have come to an end. As per the UK government, the purpose of this consultation is to seek views on how a limit on immigration should work. This includes questions about the coverage of limits as well as the mechanics of how they will work in practice.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has said, “The Government's cap on immigration has already been "very damaging" to British industry by preventing employers from hiring skilled workers.” He also said that the Department for Business has cited many examples of employers that have reduced investment or moved elements of their business offshore because the UK immigration cap prevents them accessing key staff.

In making its case for a cap on migration to the UK, the Government stated: “Unlimited migration places unacceptable pressure on public services, school places, and the provision of housing, causing problems for certain local communities.”

Prime Minister, David Cameron said that the government would introduce a new annual cap next year and that the government was "currently consulting with businesses and others on the way it should be implemented."

The Government has not yet stated what it will do with the results of the consultation, or whether its findings will be made public.

Any changes to migration policy will take effect from April 1, 2011.