Speaking on the BBC's breakfast TV show, Philp called for countries to use more automation to prevent the need to “import large numbers of low-wage migrants”.
Philp's comment followed prime minister Keir Starmer's commitment to rewrite immigration laws, on 27 November.
“Robots are no substitute for the soft skills, ideas and perspectives which workers from all backgrounds have to offer,” said Khyati Sundaram, CEO of ethical recruitment software, Applied, speaking to HR magazine.
It is unlikely that employers will turn to robots over human workers in the near future, added Vanessa Ganguin, managing partner of law firm Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law.
She told HR magazine: "We are a long way off replacing sectors of the workforce with robots, as Chris Philp suggests. The UK’s growing tech sector needs more highly-skilled tech talent from around the world to fulfil such dreams, and the home secretary has commissioned a review of talent shortages in IT.
"It is a shame that in opposition Philp and his colleagues are still perpetuating such myths, and that the current government isn’t brave enough to counter them properly by acknowledging the crucial role of immigration for UK employers in nearly every sector, for growth and reducing the burdens of inflation and taxation."
Read more: Overseas worker visa applications drop by a third
HR should only choose to hire technology over workers when it suits business needs, suggested Jim Moore, employee relations expert at HR consultancy Hamilton Nash, speaking to HR magazine.
He said: “Suggesting that employers should simply replace migrant workers with robots oversimplifies a complex workforce challenge.
“While automation and AI can help to boost productivity in certain areas, they aren't a direct substitute for human workers in many sectors.
“The decision between investing in technology or hiring workers – whether domestic or international – isn't an either/or choice.
“It requires careful analysis of business needs, available skills, and long-term strategy. HR teams need to work out where automation could genuinely improve efficiency, and where human skills and judgment are essential.”
Under the amendment to immigration legislation announced last week, companies who exploit foreign labour by failing to pay minimum wage, or meet other requirements introduced under the Employment Rights Act, could be banned from hiring workers from abroad for up to two years.
Employers should take a balanced approach to recruiting overseas workers ahead of these changes, Moore added.
He continued: “The proposed legislation around foreign workers appears focused on preventing exploitation rather than blocking legitimate recruitment.
Read more: Employers will suffer without urgent immigration reform
“Smart employers will follow a balanced approach – investing in technology where it makes business sense while ensuring fair treatment and competitive pay for all workers, regardless of origin.
"Rather than viewing this as robots versus migrants, HR should focus on building sustainable workforce strategies that combine technological innovation with ethical employment practices.”
HR practitioners should instead invest in technology that can support existing workers, Sundaram suggested.
She noted: “AI models which aren’t trained, monitored and audited carefully by humans risk amplifying historic biases.
“The focus therefore should be on investing in AI that supports workers in existing roles, and creating new AI-assisted roles for tech talent, rather than replacing workers.
“Robots are no substitute for the soft skills, ideas and perspectives which workers from all backgrounds have to offer. And the more diverse these backgrounds are, the more teams have to benefit from the diverse skill sets and talents amongst them.”
