The Migration Advisory Committee published a report on the future of the immigration system on Tuesday.

The report had a number of recommendations including:

- Treating EU and non-EU migration in the same way after Brexit

- Reforming the Tier 2 visa system to make migration easier for 'high' and 'medium' skilled people

- Keeping the £30,000 salary cap for Tier 2 migration

The report also presented overwhelming evidence showing that EU migration has not harmed wages or reduced productivity in the UK, and that EU migrants contribute more through taxes than they take out through services.

Responding to the report Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary Sue Ferns said:

“This is a strong report that busts many of the myths about the negative impact migration has on the UK.

“The complexity of the current system described by the Migration Advisory Committee stands in contrast to the simplistic, dog-whistle explanations often put forward by government ministers.

“Whilst we welcome the focus on reforming the broken Tier 2 visa process and acknowledgement that the government should pay public sector workers better, this debate cannot be divorced from the reality of Brexit.

“Too many highly-skilled workers will be hit by keeping the government’s current salary threshold for visas. The link between high-skills and high-wages is broken across key industries such as science, heritage, research, the creative industries and public services.

“We need a comprehensive settlement on immigration that welcomes global talent to the UK and protects collaboration and research across Europe.

“Finally we would note that the report does not consider students, families, or the benefits of free movement for UK workers and the impact that reciprocal migration restrictions could have if imposed by the EU.”