Responding to the Migration Advisory Committee’s review of salary thresholds and a points-based system, Edwin Morgan, Director of Policy at the Institute of Directors, said:

“The MAC’s proposals have taken account of the views of business and as a result there are some sensible recommendations, including introducing points-based visas alongside the employee-sponsored route. We’re pleased they are proposing a lower salary threshold for Tier 2 visas, although this may still pose a challenge in some areas.

“The Government should take up the MAC’s recommendation of piloting visas for specific areas. Our members in Scotland and Northern Ireland in particular have raised concerns about the system not taking account of the different circumstances firms there face.

“The overriding concern for business is bureaucracy. The Government must ensure that whatever plans it takes forward, firms aren’t faced with a byzantine system when they need talent to grow. Implementing a new system and adapting to it will be a race against the clock for both Government and businesses.

“As the report says, there is no perfect immigration system, and it’s extremely hard for governments to predict what skills businesses will need in future. The Government have been clear they want to restrict immigration, but this will always involve trade-offs in terms of economic dynamism.”