'Tory plan for cap on immigrants will anger Indians'
Prasun Sonwalkar/PTI / London Apr 14, 2010, 12:12 IST
British business leaders have warned that the Conservative party's plans to impose an annual cap on the number of immigrants coming to Britain would upset the Indians and Chinese.
The Conservative party's election manifesto released yesterday contained a pledge to issue an annual cap on migrants, besides a promise to impose bonds for students from India and other non-European Union countries, and other measures to control immigration.
London First, an influential business membership organisation whose mission is to make London the best city in the world in which to do business, warned that the Conservative plans threatened Britain's position as a global commercial hub where several Indian companies have set up offices.
London First's chief executive, crossbench peer Baroness Jo Valentine, accused the party of making the proposals to "appease the populist voice and warned that it would put off Britain's trading allies abroad"
She said: "How we build our links with the Far East and the BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India and China] economies is absolutely fundamental to London's future. Irritating the Chinese and Indians would not be clever."
London, Baroness Valentine said, represented a global talent pool. It needed tax policies, immigration policies and a quality of life which encourage them to stay, and more to arrive.
She said: "This is a vital economic issue, which concerns business greatly. We must foster growth if we are to address the budget deficit and rebuild our economy. We shouldn't turn away those best equipped to help us do that."
She added: "All three main parties have privately shared sensible views on the value which these globally mobile, talented individuals bring. My worry is that these will be overlooked in the search for votes. We should continue to welcome people who add value. Artificial caps could damage London's competitiveness and ultimately its standing and success as possibly the most cosmopolitan city in the world."
The Highly Skilled Migrants Forum, a group representing skilled migrants from India and other non-EU migrants, noted the "tough election policies to tighten the noose around immigrants", and said the position of the migrant had become uncertain.
Amit Kapadia, Executive Director of HSMP Forum said: "It is already well known that under the present UK government, the position of the migrant is quite unpredictable and uncertain. However, any new party forming the government could lead to a complete overhaul of the system, bringing in new policies, committees and decisions".
He added: "As voters and more importantly immigrants, the choice is between the devil and the deep sea and therefore it is imperative to have a clear idea of a political party’s immigration policies before people cast their precious vote."
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