Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said the announcement by the British government of measures to restrict legal migration could be hugely damaging to our local economy.

The party’s spokesperson for the Executive Office said:

“The Tory Government’s latest plan to limit legal migration could be hugely damaging to our local economy.

“Average wages in the north are lower than in Britain so plans to raise the salary level required for people to come and work will likely have a greater impact here.

“Our health and social care services, as well as agri-food producers and manufacturing are already experiencing labour shortages and could be further impacted by these changes. 

“We need to invest in giving people the skills to fill jobs now and in the future, but businesses are also suffering from immediate labour shortages and need to attract overseas workers. 

“The Tory measures will damage their attempts to grow their businesses and boost our economy. “We need an Executive and ministers back in place that understand the needs of our local economy and value the important contribution made to our economy and society by many who have come here to live and work.”