The crisis has been sparked by Brexit and Covid-19
(Picture: REUTERS)Ministers have been urged to review the “damaging” changes to visa rules to help the hospitality sector tackle a staffing crisis.
The crisis has been sparked by Brexit and Covid-19, with many young workers having returned to their home countries. The post-Brexit rules make it harder for those in lower-skilled or lower-paid roles to move to the UK.
Mayor Sadiq Khan has backed industry calls for a “coronavirus recovery visa” to help bring foreign workers back quickly after lockdown and support the economic recovery.
Mr Khan said: “I’m urging ministers to review their damaging changes to visa rules and give cities like London the devolved powers to fill vacancies in sectors where there are such acute shortages.”
He also pledged to use his skills academy programme to train up more Londoners for jobs in the hospitality sector. The Home Office said earlier this week it wants employers to focus on training and investing in British workers to fill gaps, but that it is making it “simpler” for employers to hire from the EU and around the world.
It comes after the pro-Brexit boss of JD Wetherspoon Tim Martin urged the Government to bring in a new visa scheme to help EU workers enter the UK.
