UK immigration essential to City’s competitiveness say business leaders

The survey of business leaders by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry found the two-thirds thought UK immigration had a positive effect on the London economy, with bigger companies viewing immigration more positively.

Some 72 per cent of those employing more than 200 people said UK immigration was good for London’s prosperity.

Professions were most enthusiastic about immigration, with 81 per cent positive and 68 per cent of finance and business services leaders were also in favour, with seven out of 10 companies saying the capital would be less competitive without migrants.

Some 13 per cent of companies reported they had experienced problems with UK immigration law, particularly with bureaucracy, the cost of compliance and a lack of clarity, a result that emphasises that UK immigration issues could be expected to be a major feature in the general election campaign.

The UK Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge UK visa applications with the British Embassy.