Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to address reported concerns among business leaders that the current net migration target risks leaving the UK labour market short of critical skills.

The Government is clear that the UK is open for business. We recognise that the UK benefits from immigration, but not uncontrolled immigration. Reducing net migration is not incompatible with continuing to attract international talent to come here to study and work here. There are a range of options for the future immigration system and it is important that we understand the impacts on the different sectors of the economy and the labour market. We will ensure that decisions on the long-term system are based on evidence.

On 27 July 2017, we commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to gather evidence on patterns of EU migration and the role of migration in the wider economy. The MAC will advise on the economic and social impacts of the UK’s exit from the EU and also on how the UK’s immigration system should be aligned with a modern industrial strategy. It will report in September 2018.