This week started with an interviewer on BBC Radio Wales asking me whether the cap on skilled workers coming to the UK will work. Actually the numbers coming in to the country are already falling year on year as a result of policies that are already in place. The deportation of those who are here illegally has also accelerated considerably in recent years.
The problem with the question is that we deal in headlines on such issues when they are actually quite complicated. For example skilled workers do need to come in and out of the country if companies are going to see us as ‘open for business’. It’s not an academic point as I discovered when I was Industry Minister. Delays in allowing key employees to come and go can encourage international companies to look elsewhere in Europe.
Also care system depends on the skills and hard work of migrant workers. Some will stay in the UK while others will go home having made a significant contribution to UK society and our economy.
It helps when we put those who exploit vulnerable people out of business. The Gangmasters Act for which I was the Minster has been a great success in the agriculture and packaging industries and I want to see it extended to the construction and catering industries. That is why I am one of the sponsors of a Private Member’s Bill which seeks to do just that.
Last month we saw the first successful prosecution in Wales for a breach under the Gangmasters Act. The Act keeps bureaucracy to a minimum for those who are genuine providers of much-needed labour, but comes down heavily on those who cut corners on things like health and safety or paying the minimum wage.
Meanwhile on skilled workers my conclusion is that we should welcome those who come to make a contribution and go on making it difficult for those who break the rules. That is surely the right way to deal with this complex issue. The points based system which is now in place allows intelligent judgements to be made about who is granted a visa and or a work permit.