Civil engineering contractors have cautiously welcomed a report by the Migration Advisory Committee on a points-based system and salary thresholds for immigration.

The report focuses on the UK’s future skills-based work migration system once the Brexit transition period ends, and makes recommendations around the possible role of a points-based immigration system and the appropriate level and design of salary thresholds.

The report notably recommended for those with an existing job offer:

• A decrease in the salary threshold from £30,000 to £25,600 on the general work visa;
• An expansion of the general work visa to include many construction skills;
• The salary requirements for new entrants to be reduced and to allow for workers to achieve recognised qualifications.

Marie-Claude Hemming, director of external affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) said: “The conclusions and recommendations of this report demonstrate that the needs of the construction sector have been heard by the committee.

“We anticipate that if these recommendations are adopted by government, a number of construction companies will still be able to find the skills they need to deliver the world class infrastructure our country so desperately needs.

“We express some concern that the ‘low-skilled’ route is not discussed as part of the review, and that the Shortage Occupation List will not be reviewed until a new migration system has embedded, but recognise that further analysis is needed by industry to fully understand the impact of these proposed changes.”