London’s mayor wants devolved powers to set up a “covid recovery visa” and fill vacancies in sectors struggling with serious shortages, such as haulage.
Sadiq Khan (pictured) said when it came to immigration, politicians were now too scared to argue for what they knew was needed to solve the problem and he called for regional powers to tackle the issue.
He said it was unrealistic for the government to expect businesses, “grappling with the worst economic crisis since the Second World War” to recruit the numbers required in such a short space of time.
The mayor pointed out that a nationwide shortage of HGV drivers was disrupting supply chains for the capital’s wider food and hospitality industry and he urged the government to provide a more flexible and devolved approach.
“Given the urgency and the scale of the challenge, I’m calling on the government to change its immigration system so that it meets our economic needs and helps our businesses,” Khan said.
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“This must include introducing a covid recovery visa to attract international workers into key roles to support our economic recovery.
“London has unique needs when it comes to attracting workers from around the world – and so a more tailored, dynamic approach is urgently required.”
Responding to a question earlier this week from a London Assembly member about the impact of the shortage of HGV drivers on refuse services in the capital, Khan said: “Brexit and a restrictive immigration system have contributed to the shortage of HGV drivers.
“Given the urgency and the scale of the challenge the government should explore all policy levers to ensure that the immigration system meets our needs.
“Disappointingly, the government’s shortage occupation list, which could help to ameliorate such problems, includes barely any of the roles that are now urgently needed in sectors like haulage.
“This is why I am lobbying for London to have devolved powers to fill vacancies in sectors where there are acute shortages, including the ability to create a more demand-led regional list of shortage occupations for London,” he added.
