The government has been urged to introduce a post-Brexit immigration system to allow companies to benefit from essential migrant workers.

Under the government's Immigration White Paper, few allowances will be made for low skilled workers, which includes most tradespeople, to enter the UK following Brexit.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) spoke out on the issue following new figures that show signs of growth in the UK construction industry.

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According to construction output figures for November 2018, the sector grew by 2.1 per cent during September to November 2018 compared with the previous three months.

Discussing the figures, Sarah McMonagle, Director of External Affairs at the FMB, said: "This is despite unparalleled levels of political uncertainty around the very real prospect of a 'no deal' scenario. However, we are urging the Government not to allow these results to create a false sense of security. Since November, political uncertainty has cranked up and is increasing every day. A growing and prosperous construction sector will be a distant memory if the Government allows the UK to crash out of the EU without a deal in place."

(CM/MH)