The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Wednesday 19 December, responded to the Government’s Immigration White Paper – The UK’s future skills-based immigration system.
RIBA Chief Executive Alan Vallance says,
“The movement of people is vital to the service sector, including architecture, and is the backbone of the UK economy. The long delay in publishing this White Paper has seen investment plans and projects put on hold and EU architects, one in four of the UK architecture workforce, left in limbo.
“We welcome the improvements to the rules regarding post-work study visas and removing the cap on the number of skilled worker visas. A £30,000 salary threshold would be a disaster for the architecture sector, locking out talented international architects at the start of their career. The RIBA will make that point forcefully in the consultation and we hope that the government will see sense. We need a new attitude to migration rather than just a rebranding. That needs to start with greater recognition from our politicians about the benefits that migration has bought the UK and the importance of non-UK talent to past, current and future economic growth.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- For further press information contact Elise Neve elise.neve@riba.org +44 (0)20 7307 3761
- The Immigration White Paper, The UK’s future skills-based immigration system is available to read here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/766465/The-UKs-future-skills-based-immigration-system-print-ready.pdf
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. www.architecture.com. Follow us on Twitter for regular RIBA updates www.twitter.com/RIBA
