Tory MP says people considered 'low-skilled' in post-Brexit immigration system 'actually pretty crucial to running of our country'

'We’ve never said people at lower skill levels are unimportant,' says Patel

A Conservative MP has said the coronavirus crisis exposes how many people considered low-skilled under the government’s post-Brexit immigration system are “actually pretty crucial to the running of our country”.

It comes after the government outlined earlier this year its points-based immigration system, which intends to restrict the numbers of low-skilled workers, with applicants being judged on their salary, qualifications and the type of job they intend to do.

The government is to introduce the new system in January next year, promising a “high wage, high-skill, high productivity economy”, after the proposed Brexit transition period expires.

But speaking in the Commons on Monday, Steve Double, a Conservative MP, said the current outbreak of Covid-19 showed just how critical some of these workers are to the UK.

“One of the things this current crisis is teaching us is that many people we consider to be low-skilled are actually pretty crucial to the running of our country, and are in fact recognised as key workers,” he told MPs.

“So would [Priti Patel] perhaps consider that once we’re through this situation, we review our points-based immigration system to reflect the things that we’ve learned during this time?”

In response, the home secretary Priti Patel said it was a “very, very important point”, adding: “We’ve never said people at lower skill levels are unimportant, and as we know right now through this crisis everybody is making a tremendous contribution and effort to keep all services functioning and running.

“While at the same time ensuring care and compassion for workers and service provision that is essential right now. We will absolutely through the points-based immigration system, as I have already committed to keep all aspects of that under review.

During the session, Ms Patel also warned landlords that flouting the closure of pubs – outlined by Boris Johnson last week – during the coronavirus outbreak would “run the risk of losing their licences and their livelihoods”.

And she criticised the high numbers people who went out to parks and open spaces at the weekend, insisting they were breaking government instructions on social distancing to stem the spread of the disease.

She said: “It is not acceptable. The government could not have been clearer that in order to save lives and to protect the public during this public health emergency, it is right that we practise social distancing in the way in which the government has outlined, the government is reinforcing, the chief medical officer and many others are reinforcing day in, day out.

“And with that, we ask the public to take responsibility and of course there are enforcement measures now in place through an SI (statutory instrument) that was put in place over the weekend when it comes to places of social gatherings and pubs and clubs and cafes for example.”