UK to slam door on non-English speakers, unskilled workers

The UK government on Wednesday unveiled plans to close its borders to unskilled workers and non-English speakers as part of its new immigration policy.

The controversial new measures come in the aftermath of Britain's decision to leave the European Union, where fears about immigration featured heavily among anti-EU supporters.

EU nationals form a large part of the labour force in the leisure and services sector such as hotels and restaurants. The National Health Service (NHS), Europe's largest employer, is also heavily reliant on foreign nationals.

The government said it was an opportunity to take "full control of British borders for the first time in decades" and eliminate the "distortion" caused by EU citizens’ freedom of movement.

"We will not introduce a general low-skilled or temporary work route. We need to shift the focus of our economy away from a reliance on cheap labour from Europe and instead concentrate on investment in technology and automation. Employers will need to adjust."

The new plans have received criticism from industry leaders and the opposition parties. They accused the government of assaulting the economy and said it could lead to disastrous consequences such as job losses, factory and store closures.

To qualify, immigrants must be able to speak English and have a job offer with a salary threshold of £25,600. The government said it would not allow entry to self-employed people.

Andy Chamberlain, deputy director of policy at the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed said accused the government of making a "fatal error" on self-employed migrants.

"Instead, freelancers must filter themselves through other tortuous routes such as the ‘innovation visa’, which requires for a ‘new idea’ and £50,000 in funds. So far, there does not seem to be any explicit provision for the skilled contractors that drive innovation in the UK."

Chamberlain added that this could prompt the EU to take a "similarly draconian approach to British contractors”.

CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn welcomed the abolition of the cap on skilled visas and reduction in the minimum salary threshold from £30,000.

"Nonetheless, in some sectors firms will be left wondering how they will recruit the people needed to run their businesses. With already low unemployment, firms in care, construction, hospitality, food and drink could be most affected," Fairbairn said in a statement.

"Firms know that hiring from overseas and investing in the skills of their workforce and new technologies is not an ‘either or’ choice - both are needed to drive the economy forward."

The UK hospitality industry lobby group said the government's proposals would harm economic growth and deter investment.

Chief executive Kate Nicholls said ruling out a "temporary, low-skilled route for migration in just 10 months’ time will be disastrous for the hospitality sector and the British people. Business must be given time to adapt". The UK plans to cut all ties with the EU by the end of 2020.

"These proposals will cut off future growth and expansion and deter investment in Britain’s high streets. It will lead to reduced levels of service for customers and business closures," Nicholls said, adding that the sector was "already facing an acute labour shortage".

"We are facing record low levels of unemployment, a dip in young people entering the labour market and have the highest vacancy levels of any sector."

"This announcement fails to recognise that hospitality is at the heart of every community in the UK. Damaging the hospitality sector will have a knock-on effect for schoolchildren and the elderly who rely on the sector for their meals. The government says it is making allowances for staff in the NHS, but it has totally ignored the catering companies who supply the meals to patients and staff."

(Writing by Frank Prenesti; Editing by Michele Maatouk)