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NORTHERN IRELAND’S HOSPITALITY sector has called changes to the UK’s immigration system as a “body blow”.
Colin Neil, the Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, told RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme that the new post-Brexit points-based immigration system would severely hit Northern Ireland in particular.
“This is a body blow. It will cripple the growth of our sector,” Neil said.
“Northern Ireland has the lowest unemployment rate for a generation. We have a low birth rate. We do not have the physical bodies here. We’re seeing a drain of EU nationals,” he said.
A policy statement outlining plans for a new points-based system after freedom of movement ends said the economy needs to move away from a reliance on “cheap labour from Europe”.
“Nobody wants to walk into one of our Irish bars and it’s just a row of vending machines or a burger drops to your plate from somewhere. We need people. That’s the bottom line. And if we don’t get them, our industry will not only not grow,” Neil said.
Changes
The changes are designed to cut the number of low-skilled migrants entering Britain from the beginning of next year but aim to make it easier for higher-skilled workers to get UK visas.
EU and non-EU citizens will be treated equally with criminal background checks carried out on everyone coming to the UK – affecting applications of anyone who has been given a prison sentence of 12 months or more.
People who want to live and work in the UK will need to gain 70 points to be eligible to apply for a visa.
Points will be awarded for key requirements like being able to speak English to a certain level, having a job offer from an approved employer, and meeting a minimum salary threshold.
“Top priority” will be given to those with “the highest skills and the greatest talents”, like scientists, engineers and academics – who may not need a job offer to be allowed in.
Neil was critical of the approach of the UK government and said it would leave Northern Irish businesses short of staff.
The new rules were also criticised by politicians in the North.
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said the new rules were a “fundamental threat” to the North’s economy.
“The salary threshold ignores the reality of regional median salaries across key industries including retail, agriculture and hospitality. This isn’t about cheap labour, it’s about recognising and meeting the needs of our unique and distinct economic circumstances,” Eastwood said.
With reporting from Press Association
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Personally I read that as some council lads still want to be able to do favours for people by cranking planning while insisting on a strictly insane rules that force people to have tiny windows or that don’t let new buildings be new as in a new design rather than the big standard. Without the power sure they are no better than the rest of us, where’s the fun in that like.
@Peter: Maybe, but on the other side of the coin we have developers dictating planning decisions, and that can’t be good for anyone. There has to be a regulated middle ground.
@Boyne Sharky: don’t get me wrong, I think the whole process needs to be cleaned up and made simple and consistent all over the country. I have heard of people being told the house planned should be double the size while others only a mile away told to make it smaller. Currently the whole thing is based on what the planning officer likes basically which is completely insane.
How many councillors is this country can honestly say they have any expertise in urban/rural planning? Travel around any part of Ireland and you will see the consequences of this.Taclky throughfares in every city and developer led housing monstrosities everywhere to extract the greatest profit.
And they were doing such a grand job ……… !
Less brown envelopes for them. Disgusting
Farewell to Parish-Pump politics, and good riddance!
Clueless Councillors now worried they won’t be able to sort out their local friends and relatives by green-lighting dodgy developments or by blocking necessary planning permissions. No more boring white bungalows with awful columns blighting the countryside.
People seem to be jumping on the councilors side of things here. Probably correctly so. But do we really want developers to be able to build what they want where they want it?
They sold their souls 20 years ago, for more money and increased pension benifits, Cant have it both ways, Whole system needs major overhaul, not what you know, But Who ??.
have your say