Theresa May has revealed that the Conservative Party will double the Immigration Skills Charge but will also consult with the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) on Britain’s current visa system.
During an announcement at the launch of the Conservative Party 2017 election manifesto, May revealed that the party plans to double the Immigration Skills Charge levied on businesses that employ migrant workers to £2,000 for every non-EU worker by the end of their time in parliament, should they be elected.
May added that the government would then use any revenue this move generated to invest in more effective skills training for UK citizens.
However, the Prime Minister added that a Conservative government would consult with the Migration Advisory Committee on how the visa system could be altered to meet the needs of the UK economy.
Reportedly, the party aims to establish a visa system that will still allow the country to attract skilled workers to fill the skills gaps affecting the economy.
Commenting on May’s announcement, Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, stated that the industry would welcome the changes. Ibrahim added: “The BHA has been campaigning for several months for an enlarged role of the Migration Advisory Committee and welcome the proposal that the MAC would advise how the visa system can be become better aligned with the needs of the economy.”
The Conservative Party has also pledged not to increase VAT and to reduce corporation tax to 17 per cent by 2020. The party would also pledge to review business rates in a bid to reduce red tape for new and established businesses.