UK Government has 'no plans' to increase number of bus driver visas despite firms struggling to recruit staff

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The UK Government has said it has "no plans" to increase the number of overseas worker visas available for HGV and bus drivers despite firms struggling to recruit staff.First Bus claimed a lack of staff was part of the reason that the company announced it planned to axe its night services in Glasgow next month.Prisoner escort service GEOAmey also blamed a "challenging labour market" after failing custody arrangements caused court delays last week.But Tory immigration minister Robert Jenrick said the Government would not be introducing more visas because "these occupations are not eligible" under the UK's immigration system due to their skill level.HGV and public service vehicle drivers are also not on the shortage occupation list.

Visa rules are eased for the industries on the list.Jenrick was responding to a question from Alba MP Kenny MacAskill.He said: "The Government has no plans to increase the number of visas available for HGV and public service vehicle drivers, as these occupations are not eligible under the Points Based System."The Government’s position is that employers should invest in recruitment from the resident workforce, which includes UK workers and migrants with general work rights, for jobs with relatively short training requirements."The independent Migratory Advisory Committee (MAC) is currently reviewing the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), which involves extensive consultation with industry.

The MAC will report its recommendations in the Autumn, after which the Government will consider its position."As per the Government’s commissioning letter to the MAC last year, inclusion on the SOL for jobs which do not meet the skills threshold should only be considered in exceptional circumstances, such as when