Open up immigration or ‘cripple’ industry, business bosses warn the next prime minister 

The economy faces a devastating drought of workers if the immigration system is not seriously overhauled after Brexit, businesses have warned, with a skills shortage already biting in industries such as hospitality and construction.

Retailers, recruiters, tech bosses, universities and other key sectors have written to Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt to demand a border which “works towards building a successful economy that is open and attractive”.

“The proposed future immigration system risks exacerbating the UK’s already chronic skills and labour shortages and could cripple a number of businesses across sectors,” said the coalition of business and education groups.

“Our country needs a fair and managed immigration system that keeps it open to all levels of talent that our economy and local services sorely need. It is crucial that this system recognises the benefits of international talent whilst ensuring the right controls are in place for managing immigration more effectively - necessary for ensuring the public’s trust.”

The letter calls for the threshold for migrant workers to be lowered from £30,000 per year to £20,000; the temporary work route to be extended from one year to two years and the reinstatement of the two-year visa for international students graduating from British universities. It comes after Mr Johnson refused to commit to bringing down net migration.