Following a report this week by the parliamentary home affairs committee, which claims that a cap on migration would lead to a cut of less than 1% overall in annual net arrivals, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has warned of the dangers of such a cap.

Tom Hadley, the REC’s director of policy and professional services, says: “The proposed cap could rupture the umbilical cord to the global talent pool.

“Sectors such as pharmaceutical and science, healthcare and financial services have expressed particular alarm at the potential resourcing implications. The cap will also have a direct impact on front-line services such as social care.”

Hadley adds: “Up-skilling UK workers and providing better guidance on careers in high demand sectors must be a priority.

“However, the shortage of suitably skilled workers in many sectors is a reality and will not be rectified overnight. Immigration policy must be flexible and reflect the evolving needs of the UK labour market.”