BTC RESPONDS TO DROP IN EU NET MIGRATION

British Takeaway Campaign, BTC responds to drop in EU net migration. Responding to the latest quarterly migration figures showing a drop in EU net migration, Ibrahim Dogus, Chair of the British Takeaway Campaign, said:
“With 68% of takeaways experiencing skills shortages, it is imperative that the Government adopts a joined up approach to catering skills for the takeaway sector if it is to plug this staffing gap. Policymakers must recognise that domestic and immigration policy needs to work in harmony to generate the best results for business, with a single, positive approach to skills across Government.
“Today’s drop will exacerbate these skills shortages, putting at risk the future of a sector worth £4.5 billion each year. That’s why we are calling for urgent action including a transition period that gives sufficient time for the training of domestic workers.
“Beyond a transition period, more must be done to overcome the recruitment gap by welcoming chefs with skills that can only be sourced internationally. That’s why we have urged the Migration Advisory Committee to address the absurd Shortage Occupation List anomaly which allows for the recruitment of specialist chefs for restaurants, but, bizarrely, not takeaways.”
The British Takeaway Campaign is an umbrella group championing those involved in the supply and preparation of takeaway food. The group brings together organisations representing the breadth of the industry, from curry and kebab houses to fish and chip shops, Chinese restaurants and pizzerias.
According to independent research by the BTC, the takeaway sector supports 231,000 jobs and takeaways themselves directly contributed £4.5bn in gross value added (GVA) contributions to UK GDP in 2016, rising to £9.4 billion when factoring in the multiplier effect of supply-chain and employee spending – equivalent to 0.5% of GDP.
The BTC’s members are:
o Just Eat
o British Kebab Awards
o Foodservice Packaging Association
o K10 Restaurants
o Curry Life Magazine
o QuickBite Magazine
o Night Time Industries Association
o UK Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce & Industry
o National Federation of Fish Friers
o Bangladesh Caterers Association
o Nationwide Caterers Association
o SeeWoo UK
o Catering Equipment Suppliers Association
o Westmill Foods
o UKHospitality