The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has welcomed Home Office proposals for a new Migration Advisory Committee. It believes there is a clear need for independent advice on skills shortages and the new committee should ensure that the future needs of the UK labour market are reflected.

The REC was invited to attend the official launch of the consultation by home secretary John Reid and immigration minister Liam Byrne.

REC director of external relations Tom Hadley says: “Recruitment professionals are in the front line of the UK labour market and are uniquely placed to provide regular feedback on current shortages and on the effectiveness of current immigration policy. Monthly data shows that thousands of job vacancies are going unfilled every day, especially in areas such as construction, engineering, IT, HGV driving and social care. This is the reality of today’s jobs market and we need an immigration system that supports our growing economy.”

The REC is already represented on the Home Office’s Illegal Working Stakeholder Group and will continue to take forward the views and concerns of members on immigration and skills shortages issues.