RICS launches a fresh campaign against visa restrictions imposed on QSs coming to the UK from outside the EU

It was reported in November that the RICS had called on consultants to petition the government to relax work permit rules for foreign QSs. But it has now emerged that the industry has been trying to get the rules changed as far back as June.

With backing from major firms including Gleeds, Gardiner & Theobald, EC Harris, Cyril Sweett, Franklin + Andrews, Turner & Townsend and AYH, the RICS has again approached the government to change the rules.

Richard Steer, senior partner at Gleeds, sent a letter on 1 June 2006 to the Department of Work and Pensions about strict immigration laws and the shortage of qualified QSs in the UK.

He said: “We agreed to write the letters because it is increasingly difficult to recruit qualified, skilled people in the UK with a proven track record. It is important that we recognise where the shortfall in available labour lies. The letters went off eight months ago and absolutely nothing has happened.”

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