In response to David Cameron's speech where he referenced recruitment agencies recruiting exclusively from overseas, REC Head of policy Kate Shoesmith said: “It was disappointing to hear the Prime Minister call into question the valid role employment agencies play in finding skilled people to support businesses, whether from the UK or overseas. British agencies are already required by law to list all vacancies in Britain and in English, and advertising exclusively overseas is prohibited. We have not seen any evidence that this is happening and we will immediately investigate any evidence that is presented.
“In the long term, the priority has to be ensuring our young people are given the skills they need to enter the jobs market. However, we also need a visa and immigration system that supports compliant businesses trying to recruit for the vacancies available in our jobs market right now.”