Migrants to train Brits in new ‘work and teach’ plan backed by Labour | UK | News
Skilled immigrants could train and mentor British workers under a new “work and teach” visa proposed by a leading think tank and backed by Labor MPs. Under plans drawn up by the Good Growth Foundation (GGF), visas will be issued to foreign workers who agree to devote a significant percentage of their working hours to helping develop local skills. It was suggested that the proposal, published in a report called Take Back Control circulating in Downing Street, could reduce anti-immigrant sentiment and increase economic output by up to £10 billion.
GGF, backed by Lord Blunkett, a former cabinet minister under Tony Blair, found in its analysis that the visa proposals had reduced the number of Britons “very concerned” about immigration by 18 per cent. The idea, which sees a foreign engineer spending around 15% of the week sharing their knowledge with young British workers, has also won praise from Labor Growth Group chairman Chris Curtis MP.
“This is an immigration policy that actually solves the problems in our economy rather than just managing the downturn,” he said Times. “We desperately need skills for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure.
“This proposal helps us urgently close these gaps as we build our own workforce, so British people can see that immigration serves the national interest and not to their detriment.”
“The data shows concerns that immigration will fall sharply when voters see this contribution pattern,” Mr. Curtis added. “Because people know justice when they see it.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously told the Labor Party conference that immigrants entering the UK must prove they have contributed to society in order to gain the right to remain.
The think tank suggested the new visa scheme should be incorporated into the existing points-based immigration system, allowing immigrants to earn “dynamic” points on their applications rather than points based solely on salary and qualifications.
He also noted that survey results showed 74% of working-age people in the UK would be interested in learning new skills even if time and money were not a barrier.
“You can’t beat Farage [Nigel] Farage,” said GGF director Praful Nargund. “We need a progressive vision on immigration that welcomes contribution and commitment to our country, while also creating opportunities in the UK.
“Linking immigration and skills reform shifts the narrative from oppression to partnership, giving newcomers and British workers the chance to work together to fix our country.”
