The UK government's points-based immigration system for non-EU workers could have a worrying impact on the hiring of low-skilled staff, recruiters have warned.

The scheme, which will introduce five tiers of workers ranging from 'highly skilled' and 'skilled with job offer' to 'temporary workers', has provoked fears in the recruitment industry, where attracting low-skilled workers to the UK is already a struggle.

The government has claimed that specific sector skill shortages can be addressed on a temporary basis - but the recruitment industry remains uncertain.

Tom Hadley, director of external relations at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), believes that the government's strategy is “risky”.

“We are not against the system per se,” he said. “However, it assumes that there will be enough people from the European Union prepared to do lower-skilled jobs, which is a risky assumption.

“In the long term, there will be a shortage of relatively low-skilled staff. In the next five to 10 years, the demand for low-skilled staff is only set to increase in the UK.”

The hospitality and catering recruitment sector could suffer more than most, as it relies heavily on short-term staff from abroad.

Kathryn Davies, operations director for recruiter Berkeley Scott, said: “It seems positive that if the government believes that there is a staff shortage in catering, it can get people in the short term.

“But the more red tape that is put in place, the more difficult it will be for businesses.”