The Telegraph, November 27, Roger Bootle
Tony Danker, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said last week that the Government should allow more immigration to relieve shortages of labour in key sectors of the economy.
This runs counter to the professed thinking of the Government. Sir Keir Starmer, Labour’s leader, has also apparently rejected it. But does Mr Danker have a case?
He is undoubtedly right that some industries are suffering from an acute shortage of labour, especially agriculture and hospitality. Many bars and restaurants are either shut or open only part of the week – not because of a lack of business, but because they cannot get the requisite staff. Perhaps temporary visas for workers in hard-pressed companies could be part of the solution?
For once, some of the problem is related to Brexit as large numbers of workers from Eastern Europe have returned home.
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