MPs want immediate curb on non-EU finance workers

MPs today demanded immediate immigration curbs as they said laid-off City workers are struggling to find jobs because of a continuing influx of migrants.

Members of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee issued the call after learning that tens of thousands of work permits are given each year to migrants from outside the European Union who come for business, administration, finance and computing jobs.

Ministers have already promised a review of the rules, which let foreign workers enter the UK even if there is no shortage of workers in their sector, but the MPs today said instant action was required.

Labour MP Martin Salter said the recession meant a "moratorium on migrants" in business and IT was essential. "We are losing jobs at an alarming rate," he said. "We need action now."