London, England -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/27/2015 -- Garth Coates Solicitors has commented on the news that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has urged the government to allow more highly skilled workers into the country by relaxing immigration controls.
The OECD report concluded that company-sponsored visas are restricting economic growth by limiting the number of highly skilled workers who are allowed to work in the UK.
The current quota, which caps said visas at 20,700, was introduced by Theresa May but has been a target of criticism for businesses since its implementation, which companies claiming it hinders growth prospects.
CBI director-general, John Cridland, said: "The target should be scrapped, and businesses should work with the government to provide better vocational education and in-work training, which will help to drive up living standards by increasing productivity."
Business secretary, Vince Cable, explained: "Foreign workers not only stimulate growth for British business by introducing new ideas and innovations, but bring their unique overseas networks and cultural knowledge to drive expansion for their company abroad."
OECD in their UK survey stated: "Policies to favour a knowledge-based economy could include encouraging highly qualified immigrants to work and live in the UK, which would help to address skill shortages and to boost labour productivity.
"To that end, the government should ease quotas on company-sponsored visas, which were introduced between 2008 and 2010 at a time of low labour demand, but are too restrictive for the tightening labour market."
Garth Coates Solicitors, one of London's specialist immigration solicitors, also added to the debate, backing calls for the UK to loosen immigration and allow more highly skilled workers into the country.
A spokesman for the company said: "Highly skilled workers are of real benefit to the UK, and while there's often debate and controversy surrounding immigration in itself, few would deny that allowing highly skilled workers into the country has anything but a positive effect on the general economy.
"Competing in a global marketplace is essential in the 21st century and allowing the cream of the crop in their respective industries to come to the UK and strengthen our industries is something we support. Company-sponsored visa quotas are getting in the way and should be relaxed now that the economy is in growth and unemployment is going down."
About Garth Coates Solicitors
Garth Coates Solicitors are based in London and provide a wide range of immigration law services, including visa solutions.
For more information about their services, visit http://www.garthcoates.com
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Garth Coates Solicitors
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