In response to the latest Migration Statistics Quarterly Report from the Office for National Statistics, Gerwyn Davies, Labour Market Adviser for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, comments:
“The growing proportion of migrants coming to the UK who have a definite job to go to illustrates the valuable role migrant workers are playing in minimising skills shortages in a buoyant UK jobs market. CIPD research shows that the majority of employers looking to address recruitment difficulties by recruiting migrant workers are also investing in up-skilling for their existing workforce and providing more job opportunities for young people. This has helped reduce skills shortages outside a limited number of sectors and also to contain wage inflation, factors which have helped to delay any decision to raise interest rates.
"A competitive, flexible labour market is a key reason why businesses are able to access the talent and skills that they need. However, policy makers must recognise the need to close the gap between education and work to ensure that British workers are equipped with the skills that will enable them to compete for jobs on a level playing field. We also need to rebalance our labour market, to reduce the large proportion of low-skilled jobs in the UK by international standards, and to invest in skills so more people can get into and on at work.”