Migrant labour is 'beneficial' to businesses

Date: 1st May 2008

Migrant labour has been beneficial in boosting productivity within the British construction sector, one organisation has suggested.

John Slaughter, director of external affairs at the Home Builders Federation (HBF) said migrant workers had helped construction companies to deal with a skills shortage and that their impact had been largely positive.

"That's not to downgrade the importance of the development of the indigenous workforce, but it does help to bring new people in the workforce who are already trained, skilled and qualified," he explained.

The recent influx of migrant workers has not impacted on the job opportunities available to the indigenous population, Mr Slaughter said.

However, a House of Lords committee recently ruled that migrant labour was of "little benefit" to the UK and had so far failed to boost the country's economy.