Why Is Truss Government Looking At Relaxing Immigration Rules?

UK is moving towards relaxing labor shortage norms to make up for the windfall in its crucial food industry

There are plans in the UK to ease off immigration rules as the country faces issues with labour shortage and need to boost economic growth. There are plans to expand the government’s shortage occupation list in order to fill in crucial vacancies. The best way that the new PM sees is by inviting overseas workers.

A range of sectors are facing labor shortage and Ms Truss has been getting requests from the various to ease off immigration restrictions to ease off the labor shortage pressures. Businesses it is told have been frustrated over the visa system for skilled workers of being unresponsive to not fill the windfall.

A severe shortage in farming for example needs to be addressed. Such shortages, it seems is looking like it will badly affect food and the farming sector. The first one to be helped would be the seasonal workers’ programme. Similarly, those in dire need will needed to be helped first so that right skills are fed into the economy.

The government is expected to set out its plan for migration reform later this year.

It appears to be a pivot away from Boris Johnson’s stance on immigration and might anger some Brexit voters.

Ms Truss has insisted she is “unapologetic” in “focusing relentlessly on economic growth”, even if that means implementing unpopular policies.

The UK food industry relies on migrant workers. Of the 2 million European Union nationals working in the UK, about a fifth of them work in the food and beverage supply chain, according to a report from the Food and Drink Federation, an industry group. The migrant workers are particularly represented in manufacturing, shipping, and food services. Most seasonal agriculture also depends on EU workers, mainly from Bulgaria and Romania.