Outspoken hard-Brexit fan and Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has called for a more “liberal” immigration policy – because he can’t find enough staff to work in his pubs.
The Brexiteer champion, who banned European alcohol from his chain and put pro-Brexit messages on beer mats on Wednesday said the hospitality industry needed more foreign workers as the UK had “a low birth rate”.
“A reasonably liberal immigration system controlled by those we have elected, as distinct from the EU system, would be a plus for the economy and the country,” he told the Telegraph newspaper, which also supported of Brexit.
“America, Australia and Singapore have benefitted for many decades from this approach. Immigration combined with democracy works.”
The UK’s hospitality sector is struggling with staff shortages as it reopens from the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown imposed in January.
Pubs and restaurants are now offering improved salary packages to secure staff ahead of the busy summer period.
The industry has blamed both the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit for staff shortages with many feeling the pressure since since indoor dining resumed last week.
