THE CBI has reiterated its support for managed migration in reaction to the current election debate on the issue of immigration.

The employers’ organisation argues that there is a role for managed migration, which meets the needs of the UK labour market, while remaining at a level that enables immigrants to be successfully integrated into society.

Malcolm Hyde, CBI South East regional director (acting), said: “While the CBI takes no position on asylum and refugee status, we recognise that migration has brought benefits to the UK by resolving skill and labour shortages in the short term.

"In the longer term, only training for the UK workforce can resolve such skill shortages and a well designed 'points system' may prove a flexible and effective way of managing the flow of economic migrants.

"Business needs managed migration. However, a person wanting to build a new life in the UK must have recognised skills to offer, must master the English language, and play a full role in society and the economy as a taxpayer.

"In return they should benefit from the workplace protections extended to all UK employees.”

Mr Hyde added: "Importantly, the words 'managed' and 'controlled' are not irrelevant, nor mere sops to public opinion. Any government must show by its actions that they have a real meaning."