Tuesday 28 February 2017

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes report into contribution of EU nationals

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) today welcomed the London Assembly's EU migration report which recognises the contribution that EU nationals bring to London's economy.

LCCI agrees that the capital's dependence on EU nationals means that immediate action to confirm their work status is required.

Chief Executive of LCCI, Colin Stanbridge said: "As the CEBR analysis we commissioned shows, London could potentially lose nearly £7bn a year and the UK could miss out on over £2bn a year in taxation receipts, unless Ministers take steps to reassure EU national employees, and their employers, about their legal working status as we approach Brexit.

However, while the Assembly Committee rightly suggests the Mayor's Office should have a 'co-ordinating role' to advise EU Nationals, we believe this should go much further. The Mayor's Office should have a role in actually advising Whitehall on the requirements of London businesses in terms of the role of existing and future EU nationals in the capital's workforce.

London should have a separate Shortage Occupation List - like Scotland has - to identify and map the unique skills requirements of the UK's capital city".

ENDS

Media contact
Katharine McGee
T: +44 (0)20 7203 1897
M: +44 (0)7827 241528
E: kmcgee@londonchamber.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITOR:
1. The LCCI Immigration report Permits, Points and Visas; securing practical immigration for post-Brexit London can be found here. Colin Stanbridge and Sean McKee from LCCI are available for further comment.

2. The cebr study 'Working Capital; the role of migrants working in driving London's Economy is available here. Vicky Pryce and Scott Corfe from Cebr are available for further comment.