The government must enforce the rules on intra company transfers within the IT sector, according to Jeff Brooks, chair of REC (Recruitment & Employment Confederation) Technology.

New criteria were agreed last year, including a £40,000 salary threshold to ensure that intra company transfers (ICTs) were not simply used as a way of bringing in relatively junior staff.

Brooks says: “The key is to ensure that the recently revised criteria are properly enforced - in particular, by cracking down on the misuse of so-called allowances to meet the salary threshold.

“At the same time, employee mobility is an intrinsic part of the way global businesses develop their staff and spread expertise through their organisations. Cutting or unduly curtailing ICTs would send the wrong message to the international business community and would result in some major employers reviewing where they choose to establish.”