The Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Karim Fatehi OBE, has made a passionate case for immigration, arguing it is a “net positive” and fundamental to the capital’s continued success as a global powerhouse.
In a recent opinion piece published in the Evening Standard, Mr. Fatehi, who arrived in the UK as a migrant himself, states plainly that if the country wishes to “continue to be great, immigration has to be part of the picture.”
The intervention from the head of London’s leading business advocacy group comes amid intense national debate over migration levels, urging the government to adopt a “calm, rational, evidence-led discussion” when formulating policy.
The Economic Imperative
Mr. Fatehi underscored the massive economic contributions of immigrant communities, nothing that ethnic minority-led businesses generate at least £74 billion annually for the UK economy and employ nearly three million people. He contends that London’s status as a premier global city is “precisely because it absorbs influences from all over the globe.”
For the LCCI, the core issue is competitiveness and the severe skills shortage facing London firms. While acknowledging the need to upskill the domestic workforce—particularly by supporting young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET)—Fatehi stresses that businesses must have reliable access to international talent.
“Highly skilled international workers make up an invaluable part of London’s workforce,” he stated, warning that any policy changes that overly restrict this access risk “damaging London’s business community, weakening growth, and undermining the city’s position on the global stage.”
Call for Business Travel Freedom
The LCCI chief also highlighted the need for reciprocal movement, nothing that the UK’s world-leading service sector can only maintain its edge if highly skilled UK employees can travel and work internationally with ease.
In a clear message regarding post-Brexit trade, Mr. Fatehi referenced an LCCI survey showing that almost two thirds of member firms would like to see freedom of movement for business travel between the UK and the EU.
While recognising public concern about immigration levels—including issues related to illegal migration and pressures on housing and public services—Mr. Fatehi maintained that these challenges must be addressed in a constructive manner, but should not overshadow the fundamental economic benefits.
He concluded his argument by insisting on a long-term, pro-growth approach: “For London to succeed it must remain open, competitive, and forward-looking in a globalised world.”
(This article is a summary of the views expressed by Karim Fatehi OBE, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in his comment piece originally published in The Standard.)
