Cabinet rift over business row: After call for higher wages instead of cheap foreign labour, FIVE ministers say they fear a Tory war with firms and want a more ‘pragmatic’ approach
- Mr Johnson warned businesses this week there was ‘no alternative’ to training British workers up to fill post-Brexit staff shortagesÂ
- Home Secretary Priti Patel and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng support him
- But five senior ministers told the Mail they fear Johnson’s ‘ideological’ approach to labour shortages will lead to empty shelves in the run-up to ChristmasÂ
Boris Johnson is facing a Cabinet backlash over his war with business.
Five Cabinet ministers have told the Mail they want the Prime Minister to adopt a more ‘pragmatic’ approach to helping firms cope with staff shortages this winter.
Mr Johnson warned business this week there was ‘no alternative’ to his plan to train up British workers to fill staff shortages rather than relying on cheap labour from abroad.
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng are also opposed to any further easing of visa rules, arguing that firms have to adapt to the post-Brexit reality that free movement has ended.
But a string of other senior ministers fear this ‘ideological’ approach will lead to empty shelves in the run-up to Christmas, for which the Government will get the blame.
One Cabinet minister told the Mail: ‘Some of my colleagues just want to tough it out, tell business to stop whingeing and let the devil take the hindmost. I suspect they will go very quiet if we run into serious shortages this winter.
Boris ohnson warned business this week there was ‘no alternative’ to his plan to train up British…