Latest Fast-track figures revealed
Updated figures for the Government's Fast-track visa and work permit system, designed to speed-up the importation of skilled foreign IT workers, have been revealed in a Parliamentary question.
David Lidington, Conservative MP for Aylesbury asked the Home Secretary:
'How many work permits have been issued:
(a) Under the Fast-track scheme for shortage occupations since the introduction of this scheme and;
(b) For shortage occupations expressed as a proportion of the total; and if he will make a statement.'
Angela Eagle, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Europe, Community and Race Equality, replied:
'Between 1 October 1999 and 31 May 2001, the number of approvals made in respect of skills shortage work permit applications was 44,413. This figure represents 25 per cent of the total number of work permit approvals made during the same period.'
Mr. Lidington's second question asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he would make a statement on the Government's plans to introduce a Green Card scheme, to govern the entry of workers into the UK.
Miss Eagle responded: 'The United Kingdom has longstanding work permit arrangements that enable employers to recruit people from overseas. The system has recently undergone a comprehensive and successful review to ensure that it responds quickly and effectively to labour market needs.
'The Government proposes further to develop the work permit system in order to ensure that it continues to serve the overall needs of the economy as part of a coherent migration policy. No decisions have been taken yet on the precise nature of any changes.'
Lastly Mr. Lidington asked how many work permits had been issued to IT professionals in:
(a) 'The last year and;
(b) In the latest period for which figures are available and if a statement could be made regarding them.'
Angela Eagle answered: 'In the 2000 calendar year, 18,259 work permit applications were approved in respect of Information Technology professionals. Between 1 January and 31 May this year, 10,700 approvals have been granted for that category of worker. Like most developed countries, the United Kingdom continues to experience a shortage of some skills within the Information Technology sector. The United Kingdom work permit system has the flexibility to respond quickly to emerging shortages.'
The Government's recently released 'Productivity in the UK: Enterprise and the Productivity Challenge' guide also details recent Fast-track activity. Under its 'Skills' section the paper describes how, 'The Government has overhauled the work permits regime - to ensure that employers are able to recruit high-skilled workers from abroad, especially in IT.' According to the paper's findings, the impact of these changes has been significant with 'the number of work permits granted up from 54,000 in 1997 to an expected 150,000 this year.'
Speaking of the Green Card scheme, recently publicised by the Home Secretary - David Blunkett in the Sunday Times, the paper goes on to describe how 'The Government will this year introduce a new pilot scheme to attract people of outstanding ability from around the world and allow particularly skilled individuals to enter the UK to seek work in their field of specialism.'
Other European countries are also introducing similar schemes with the German Government having just announced it will relax immigration laws to allow 50,000 extra workers to be recruited from abroad in an effort to meet skills demands. A German IT industry association has described the situation in the country as 'critical,' complaining that as many as 75,000 jobs remain unfilled.
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Richard Powell, UKTECH