The Mayor of London is calling for the salary threshold for foreign skilled workers to be reduced to £21,000.

Under current rules, to qualify for a longterm skilled workers’ visa, applicants from non-EU countries must earn at least £30,000.

Government plans suggest EU migrants to the UK will be treated the same as those from other countries after Brexit.

Sadiq Khan has also called on the Government to devolve immigration powers to City Hall, helping ‘fast-track’ applications to address skill shortages.

And he is supporting a new freelance visa to boost the creative industries in London.

The Prime Minister supports an Australian-style points system, where visa applicants are scored in categories such as work experience, English speaking ability, and education.

But research from City Hall claims extending the current rules to EU migrants would damage London’s economy.

Construction, social care and hospitality would be worst affected under the new system, the study found.

There are currently 150,000 EU workers in jobs paid below the £30,000 visa threshold – with a quarter of these in construction and hospitality alone.

And 57 percent of businesses in the capital think proposed visa changes would worsen skill shortages, according to polling from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Under Mr Khan’s plans, London would create a register of industries facing skill shortages, with visa applications from workers serving these sectors prioritised.

The Mayor said immigration changes should support London’s potential as a global city.

He said: “If the Government’s proposed immigration changes go ahead, then I’m fearful for the impact they’ll have on the fabric of our city.

“The impact on the construction sector would make the housing crisis worse. And the impact on public services, including our schools and the NHS, could have devastating consequences for years to come.

“The new Prime Minister should instead fully recognise the positive impact immigration and Freedom of Movement has had in London and the UK.”

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “As the Prime Minister has said, he wants an immigration system that attracts the brightest and best talent from around the world, which is based on what someone can contribute rather than where they come from.”