Lord Dholakia questions Government in relation to skill shortage in curry industry:

Following the speech given last month by the Chief Executive of Immigration Advisory Service, Keith Best which highlighted the difficulties facing the curry industry (85% of curry restaurants are Bangladeshi) Lord Dholakia, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, asked the Government for their intentions regarding a review of immigration rules in order to deal with skill shortages facing the industry.

“The people of the UK will not easily forgive the politicians if they destroy the curry industry however inadvertently: the Government needs to understand how the industry works and to be culturally sensitive to the demands. It is not only a problem for the Bangladeshis but for Britain as a whole.” said Lord Dholakia

In his reply, the Minister, Lord West stated: 

The Independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) advises Government on shortage occupations. Skilled chefs, including those in the curry industry, are currently on the shortage occupation list for Tier two of the Points-Based System.

The Government has asked the MAC to review this entry by September 2009 and recommend whether it is sensible to continue to fill shortages of skilled chefs through migration. The Government will consider the MAC’s recommendations carefully in due course.