'Perfectly possible' migrants could be brought in to fill labour shortages, says minister

Berny Torre
·2 min read
Chloe Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, says a "blend" of migrants workers could help the economy - Anadolu Agency
Chloe Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, says a "blend" of migrants workers could help the economy - Anadolu Agency

It is "perfectly possible" foreign workers could be brought in to tackle labour shortages, a minister has said.

Chloe Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, said a "blend" of migrants workers could help the economy, when asked if she anticipated visa restrictions would be relaxed on the agricultural and social care sectors.

Ministers have been considering plans to relax visa restrictions on some foreign workers to tackle labour shortages and attract talent from across the world.

However, Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, is understood to be insisting that immigration must fall so the Government can meet its manifesto commitment to bring down net migration.

On Monday, Mrs Smith told LBC: "I think it's perfectly possible for that to happen because that is in line with what the Prime Minister stated very clearly during her campaign to be the leader of the Conservative Party, and I'm quite comfortable with that.

"I think there's a blend here that will enable the economy to grow... Of course the Home Secretary will be setting out more in due course on migration plans."

Suella Braverman - Aaron Chown/PA
Suella Braverman - Aaron Chown/PA

Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, the Chancellor, have ordered a review of visa restrictions. They are understood to believe some sectors may need more migrants to help fulfil the Government's economic growth plans.

Mrs Braverman is among Brexiteer Cabinet ministers - including Kemi Badenoch, the International Trade Secretary, and Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business Secretary - who believe this must not lead to an overall rise in immigration and must pass the litmus test of genuinely boosting growth.

A Whitehall source told the Telegraph: "The Home Secretary does not believe reducing net migration needs to mean we go to lower growth. You can achieve both.

"You can solve the economic bottlenecks that need to have higher skills but at the same time bring down aggregate migration."

Ms Truss's immigration review will consider if changes need to be made to the shortage occupations list.

It could allow key sectors to recruit more overseas staff and also endorse a loosening of the English language requirement in some sectors to enable more foreign workers into the country.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Should You Maintain Your Conviction in Citigroup (C)?

    Patient Capital Management, a value investing firm, released its “Patient Capital Opportunity Equity Strategy” first quarter 2024 investor letter. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. During the quarter the strategy returned 11.8% net of fees compared to the S&P 500’s 10.6% return. The outperformance of the portfolio can be attributed to selection and […]

  • Australian prime minister labels Elon Musk ‘an arrogant billionaire who thinks he is above the law’

    Anthony Albanese responds to X owner who criticised Australian authorities demanding videos of a Sydney church stabbing be removed

  • Florida man wrangles 8ft gator on busy road with bare hands

    Jacksonville, Florida MMA fighter Mike Dragich, known as the "Blue Collar Brawler" on social media, wrangled an 8ft gator in the middle of a busy road on April 21. Dragich is a licensed trapper and is famous for his daring alligator removals.

  • Reporting in India ‘too difficult’ under Modi, says departing Australian journalist

    Despite eventual visa backflip by authorities, ABC’s south-Asia correspondent Avani Dias left after being made to ‘feel so uncomfortable’

  • Facing pressure from rights groups, World Bank suspends funding for Tanzania tourism project

    KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The World Bank has suspended funding for a tourism project in Tanzania that caused the suffering of tens of thousands of villagers, according to a U.S.-based rights group that has long urged the global lender to take such action. The World Bank's decision to suspend the $150 million project, which aims to improve the management of natural resources and tourism assets in a remote part of southern Tanzanian, was “long overdue,” the Oakland Institute said in a statement Tuesd

  • Ten dead as Navy helicopters collide mid-air in Malaysia

    One of the choppers clipped the rotor of the other before the two crashed into the ground, footage shows.

  • UK government borrowing higher than forecast

    An unexpected rise in public borrowing could limit the scope of pre-election tax cuts, say analysts.

  • FTSE 100 Live 23 April: Primark owner ABF results, public sector net borrowing

    The FTSE 100 index is set to build on last night’s record finish, with IG Index forecasting a rise of 0.5% or 43 points to an intraday all-time high near 8066. The rise follows a better session on Wall Street as the S&P 500 index and Nasdaq Composite recovered from recent tech selling by climbing 0.9% and 1.1% respectively. This week’s stronger showing by global markets follows an easing in Middle East tensions and some encouragement on the inflation front after Brent Crude fell to near $87 a barrel.

  • Japan's Nikkei rises but US earnings caution caps gains

    Japan's Nikkei share average rose on Tuesday, buoyed by Wall Street's rally overnight, although concerns about big tech earnings and tensions in the Middle East capped gains. The Nikkei ended the day up 0.3% at 37,552.16. Trading was choppy in Tuesday's morning session, with the index gaining 1% before retreating briefly into negative territory.

  • UK annual government borrowing higher than forecast in blow to Chancellor

    The ONS estimated that full-year public sector net borrowing was £120.7 billion in 2023-24, £6.6 billion more than predicted.

  • What $61bn US aid boost could mean for Ukraine

    After weeks of Russian advances, there are three areas where Ukraine could now strengthen its defences.

  • Columbia Professors Address Crowd Amid Faculty Walkout Over Arrest of Pro-Palestine Protesters

    University of Columbia faculty addressed crowds of protesters on Monday, April 22, amid a walkout over the arrest of students during pro-Palestine demonstrations.Video filmed by Anna Louise Kuoni Oakes shows David Lurie, president of the Columbia chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and professor of Japanese history, reading from the AAUP-Columbia statement released on Saturday.“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the administration’s suspension of students engaged in peaceful protest and their arrest by the New York City Police Department”, Lurie says.Then, Christopher Brown, professor of history, says: “The New York Police Department does not belong on this campus except in moments of extreme emergency. And that show of force was a sign of weakness. In trying to show that they meant business, what they showed was their incompetence.”Columbia University canceled all in-person classes on Monday, due to the ongoing Gaza solidarity encampment on its Manhattan campus. Credit: Anna Louise Kuoni Oakes via Storyful

  • UPDATE 1-British retailer JD Sports to buy US rival Hibbett for $1.08 billion

    JD Sports Fashion has proposed to buy American athletic-fashion retailer Hibbett Inc for about $1.08 billion, the companies said on Tuesday, as the British sportswear retailer expands across the southeastern U.S. JD Sports, Britain's largest sportswear retailer, will pay $87.50 per Hibbett share in cash, representing a premium of about 20% to the U.S. firm's last closing price. The Bury, Greater Manchester-based company said it expects to fund the deal and refinance Hibbett's existing debt through its existing U.S. cash resources of $300 million and a $1 billion extension to its existing bank facilities.

  • Hyman, McDavid lead Oilers to 7-4 playoff win over Kings

    EDMONTON — For once the Edmonton Oilers won’t have to dig themselves out of a hole to start the NHL playoffs. Zach Hyman had three goals and an assist, Connor McDavid had five assists, and the Oilers ended their series-opening jinx with a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Monday's start to the first-round, best-of-seven series. “I thought we had a good start, I thought we were good in the first period, worked our way to a 2-0 lead and I thought we showed good energy and we played really

  • NBA Twitter reacts to Jamal Murray’s buzzer beater in Game 2 vs. Lakers: ‘I give up’

    Here's how NBA Twitter reacted to Jamal Murray's game-winner against the Lakers.

  • Primark booms as Rita Ora deal pays off

    Primark owner ABF hailed strong results today as it put Covid firmly in the past and said there is now “normality” in its supply chains. The interim divi is up 46% to 20.7p, worth many millions to the Weston family that controls the business. Improvements to the Group's operational performance, driven by the investments and strong execution over the last few years, are now becoming visible.

  • Dominic West makes rare comment about ‘absurd’ Lily James furore

    British actor says he was able to relate to King Charles, whom he portrays in Netflix drama ‘The Crown’, due to their shared experiences of media scrutiny over their personal lives

  • Man dead after stabbing at gas station, fiancé reacts

    ABC 10News spoke with the fiancé of the man who was stabbed and killed during an altercation at a gas station in University Avenue.

  • Chelsea XI vs Arsenal: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Premier League today

    Blues could lose their key man to illness ahead of London derby

  • Is Arsenal vs Chelsea on TV? Kick off time, channel and how to watch Premier League fixture

    Everything you need to know about the Premier League fixture