Curbs on non-EU migration have ‘no impact’ claims campaign group Migration Watch UK
MigrationWatch UK say the 20,700-a-year cap has not been reached sinces its introduction as not enough migrants are applying
CURBS on a key non-EU migration route have had "virtually no impact" on the ability of firms to recruit overseas talent, a campaign group claims.
An annual cap on work permits available for skilled staff from outside Europe has not been reached in five years since it was introduced in 2010, according to Migration Watch UK.
It accused business lobby groups of "crying wolf" over the effect of the restrictions on Tier 2 general visas.
This is the main immigration route for nationals from outside the European Economic Area to apply to work in the UK.
Migrants arriving through the scheme must have a job with a yearly salary of at least £20,800, and Tier 2 is subject to an annual limit of 20,700 posts.
In the first three years of operation the cap did not bite at all, with just 54% of available certificates of sponsorship being used, according to analysis by Migration Watch UK, which campaigns for tighter immigration controls.
In 2014/15, there were 20,087 certificates issued out of 20,700 available, while 235 certificates were returned due to non-use, the report said.
It added that in the following year 22,037 certificates were issued - more than the cap - but almost 2,800 were returned unused or reclaimed.
Monthly limits have been reached on occasions, however, and the study acknowledged that some businesses have been temporarily prevented from sponsoring an applicant due to over-subscription.
The paper said that "on an annual basis, no employer has been prevented from bringing in a skilled worker since the economic cap was introduced, although some employers might have had to wait a month before they could obtain a certificate for their prospective employee".
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It added: "The cap of 20,700 has therefore been sufficient to meet the needs of business for skilled workers."
Alp Mehmet, vice chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: "The business lobby have been crying wolf for years about the impact of the cap on business but it has now become clear that the annual cap has never been breached.
"The very same lobby is now claiming that a reduction in migration from the EU for low skilled work will be a disaster but, with their record, the public will not be convinced."