IEA responds to Government’s post-Brexit immigration proposals

19 Feb 2020 01:44 PM

The IEA’s Head of Political Economy Dr Kristian Niemietz responded to the Government’s announcement for a new points-based immigration system post-Brexit 

“The Government’s decision to bring in a point-based immigration system is likely to have a number of unintended consequences.

“The proposed new immigration system puts too much power in the hands of central government. Businesses need a variety of workers – with a range of skills and salary expectations – and are better placed than the state to decide what is missing from the current labour market.

“The decision to reduce the salary threshold from £30,000 to £25,600 is a welcome move. However, by deliberately focusing on limiting low-skilled migration, the scheme is likely to have a significant negative impact on staffing levels in many industries, including the care system, construction and hospitality, especially in the short-term.

“We need a fairer immigration system that focuses on the public’s actual concerns – such as integration and social cohesion – whilst also maximising the economic benefits that migration can bring.”

Notes to editors

For media enquiries please contact Emily Carver, Media Manager: 020 7799 8920 or 07715 942731.

For IEA reading on immigration, click here.

The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems and seeks to provide analysis in order to improve the public understanding of economics.

The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.

Home Secretary announces new UK points-based immigration system