Rules may be eased for Indian migrants to fill UK’s shortage of ‘hundreds of thousands’ of IT workers, Boris Johnson says
- Boris Johnson opened the door last night to easing immigration rules with India
- He said the UK needs ‘hundreds of thousands’ of IT experts and programmers
- ‘We need to have a professional approach but it has to be controlled,’ he said
Boris Johnson opened the door last night to easing immigration rules with India, saying that the UK is short of ‘hundreds of thousands’ of IT experts.
The Government is aiming to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with India by the end of 2022 – and the PM signalled a relaxation of immigration rules could be part of it.
‘We are aiming for an FTA by the end of the year,’ Mr Johnson said. ‘On immigration I’ve always been in favour of having people coming to this country.
Boris Johnson said that the UK is short of ‘hundreds of thousands’ of IT experts and could relax immigration rules with India as a result. Pictured today on his way to India
‘We have a massive shortage in the UK, not least in experts in IT and programmers. We need to have a professional approach but it has to be controlled.’
He made the comments as he flew to India, where he will today hail a new era in the UK and India’s trade relationship.
He will confirm more than £1billion in new investments and export deals, creating 11,000 jobs across the UK.
He is also set to welcome a taxpayer-backed satellite firm, OneWeb, signing a contract which could see Britain launch its satellites from India.
No10 said the ‘historic’ move will be a ‘significant development’ for the operations of the company.
Mr Johnson said last night: ‘As I arrive in India, I see vast possibilities for what our two great nations can achieve together. It will only go from strength to strength.’
As part of his visit to India, the prime minister will confirm more than £1billion in new investments and export deals, creating 11,000 jobs across the UK