Government scheme leads to IT professional shortage

Government plans to tighten immigration criteria for overseas IT workers could lead to a shortage of software developers in the UK, it has been claimed.

According to Computerworld UK, earlier this week, the Migration Advisory Committee compiled a list of careers suffering a staff supply shortage in Britain, but failed to mention IT staff, possibly meaning UK employees will find it harder to hire IT workers from outside the European Union.

Iain Smith, founder of IT human resources consultancy Diaz Research, told the news provider: "I think there's a case for limited exception for software architects.

"A lack of them could mean the quality of systems in companies is not as good as it should have been."

He went on to say the move could mean the UK becomes increasingly dependent on offshoring software development.

Earlier this week, advisory firm TPI claimed the first six months of this year saw £28 billion of deals being signed for outsourcing contracts.