The Government's new points-based immigration system could damage industries suffering from acute skills shortages such as hospitality, an expert has warned.

Anne Fairweather, head of policy at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said the hospitality, social care and construction sectors were in desperate need of migrant workers.

Immigration minister Liam Byrne this week said the points-based system, which will come into force in early 2008, would ensure the right people were coming into the UK.

But Fairweather said: "There is a real danger that the points-based system will not deliver the workers that are needed in areas such as hospitality and social care. Construction is also an area of increasing concern.”

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By Daniel Thomas

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