GMB boss: UK relies too much on foreign workers

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 16, 2026

Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB union, has urged employers to prioritize training British workers before sponsoring overseas labour, highlighting how reliance on foreign workers in sectors like shipbuilding reveals domestic skills gaps. He warned that without investing in local training and addressing wage suppression, this trend, alongside AI job displacement, could worsen economic inequalities and labor market challenges.

Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB union, has called for stricter conditions on employers sponsoring overseas workers, suggesting that companies should first demonstrate investment in training British workers before recruiting from abroad. Smith, whose union is among the major labour backers of the UK Labour Party, argued that the current reliance on foreign labour reflects a failure to address domestic skills shortages.

Smith highlighted sectors such as shipbuilding—particularly in the construction and refitting of Royal Navy vessels—where a significant number of overseas workers have been recruited. He cited an example of an agency that brought in over 550 foreign workers for a naval construction program. According to Smith, this practice underscores a lack of sufficient training for local welders and other skilled workers. “We are bringing in loads of agency labour from the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, because we haven’t trained welders in place,” he said. He questioned why local youth and adults have not been better supported to gain the necessary skills for these roles.

While emphasizing that his stance is not anti-immigration, Smith expressed concern that employers may be using access to overseas labour to justify suppressing wages. He also raised broader economic issues, including the impact of artificial intelligence on job displacement and the potential concentration of economic power in employers’ hands. Smith cautioned that without proper safeguards, AI could exacerbate these challenges.

Responding to the concerns, the UK government stated that it recognizes the risks associated with job displacement and economic concentration due to AI. It said it is collaborating closely with trade unions and businesses to ensure that advancements in artificial intelligence contribute to better jobs, higher wages, and improved working conditions.

The debate comes amid ongoing discussions about skills shortages in the UK workforce, particularly in technical and high-skill sectors. Employers have acknowledged difficulties in finding enough qualified workers domestically, which they say necessitates overseas recruitment. Meanwhile, unions like the GMB argue for a more balanced approach that prioritizes investment in domestic training to reduce reliance on foreign labour and strengthen the UK’s skill base.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.