Two programs previously introduced by the UK Home Office allowed employers to recruit up to 16,000 workers annually for the agricultural sector and up to 1,800 for other sectors of the economy. According to Byrne, the British economy currently does not need immigrants, and 'employers can easily use labor from EU countries or from the UK itself.' The entry restrictions will not apply to qualified specialists, the minister explained.
However, British entrepreneurs, according to the publication, disagree with this initiative of the Home Office. They believe that the abolition of work visas will lead to an increase in illegal immigration and the use of 'gray' schemes for workers to enter the country. 'Disenfranchised low-paid illegals will undermine the UK's domestic labor market,' said Habib Rahman, head of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.
Liam Byrne, for his part, stressed that his ministry does not intend to completely abandon migrants, as foreign workers contribute up to 15% of the annual growth of the gross national product.