Excessive further border controls could hit the UK’s ability to recruit much needed nuclear engineers, according to Ged Mason, chief executive at technical and engineering recruiter Morson Group.

Business secretary Vince Cable told the Financial Times that he has “full confidence” that his colleagues understand the need for immigration controls that support economic recovery and business growth, following Office for National Statistics which shows that the UK’s net migration figures has risen by 20% in the last year.

Mason told Recruiter that certain high-end engineering skills shortages underlined the importance of recruiting talent from overseas.

“The engineering sector should look to train talent but there is a currently a renaissance in demand for nuclear engineers. If we hinder nuclear firms ability to bring in key engineers, this may affect deliverability and programmes. Britain last built a nuclear power station in the late 1980s. Some of the skilled engineers have retired or exited the sector.

“There are certain specialist skills where you would have to look abroad for. The US and France have been building stations and have the expertise. If these engineers are not brought in nuclear construction programmes be could delayed and deadlines not met.”