Lib Dem leader signals concern over industry's looming skills shortage
Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrats, is expected to highlight the threat of skills shortages in a speech at the British Curry Awards tonight.
The veteran politician is set to argue that Brexit will exacerbate the skills shortage across the industry - and will particularly address "lies" over immigration relating to the UK's South Asian kitchens.
Shortly before the referendum Brexiteer Priti Patel said a vote to leave would "save our curry houses", adding that controlling immigration from the EU could mean "talents and the skills" could be brought into the UK".
Tonight Cable, who is campaigning for a referendum on the final Brexit deal, is expected to say: "The leave campaign was misleading at best, filled with outright lies at worst.
"I know from talking to the Indian and Bangladeshi restaurateurs that the industry has seen through these lies - skills shortages cannot be solved through Brexit and, indeed, only puts pressure on the front-of-house roles so often staffed by EU nationals.
"Now this industry can see the impact of Brexit, it is time that you - and the rest of the country - were given the final say on the deal through a People's Vote."
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