Brexit is the most significant political and economic decision that Britain has made in decades. But what does that mean for the millions of migrants who live here? How can Britain overcome the skilled worker shortage after Bretix? Here’s what you need to know.
Britain left the EU on January 31
Britain left the EU on January 31 and still had access to the single market until 2022. These changes turned out to be good news for British businesses. The UK can still attract skilled workers from other European countries like Germany, France, and Italy – even if they don’t have passports from those countries themselves.
But what does that mean for the millions of migrants who live here?
The majority of migrants in Britain are EU citizens. Successive governments have tolerated them because they fill skill gaps and add economic value. The UK will no longer be part of the European Union, so everybody is still determining what happened to them or whether their rights got protected after Brexit.
And for British business and the broader economy?
- The UK is still growing.
- The UK remains attractive to foreign investors.
- Foreign workers continue to go there in large numbers, who want a new experience after Brexit.
- Buyers of British property are also an essential part of this picture.
Here’s what you need to know
The UK government remained committed to honoring all existing EU agreements until they expired in 2020. At that time, a person could continue to travel without needing a visa or passport. There were no restrictions on movement between countries within Europe. A person could continue to buy goods from other member states without paying extra fees.
What caused the sudden influx of migrants?
- An unprecedented series of events has been put in motion by the UK’s decision to exit the European Union. There are different factors behind the sudden influx. Here is the list of things that might have caused the sudden influx of migrants.
- According to Office for National Statistics data for the year commencing in June, students were the main driving force behind the influx of migrants from outside the EU.
- It was a post-pandemic effect as students who started online courses switched to in-person learning.
- A new immigration option that would have allowed graduates of elite universities to work after graduation would have also been appealing in this scenario.
- Another significant cause of the influx was the availability of humanitarian ways for Afghans, Ukrainians, and Hong Kong citizens.
- Additionally, according to the most recent Home Office data on visa issuance, a large part of this increase was brought on by a surge, i.e., hiring healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, and caregivers. With fewer people entering the tech industry, financial services, and other professional fields.
The reason behind employers’ desire for a new visa system
Although the post-Brexit skilled worker visa process is somewhat lenient for highly compensated graduate employment, smaller firms sometimes struggle to cover the one-time payment of a license to sponsor migrants. However, in many fields with the highest vacancy rates — such as luggage handling — the employer can not hire foreigners to fill lower-skilled positions.
Industry groups claim that jobs requiring a certain skill level are equivalent to A-levels. It is more frequently a barrier than the salary threshold of £25,600. And HGV driving is one of the most notable examples of an occupation that is not eligible for visas.
However, they are also pressuring the government to expedite a long-promised review of the Home Office’s shortage occupation list. This list outlines the jobs that can be filled by immigrants paid less than the job’s going rate.
British cities are full of migrants.
The British towns home to migrants for decades had likely remained so even after Brexit. The country’s population growth is mainly due to migration. Migrants are essential to British life, making it a better place. We should keep our doors open for them, not just now but in the future.
Immigration: Is it a potential solution to the labor shortage?
According to the CBI Business Group, labor shortages have gotten severe. Employers can not invest in the technology and skills needed to move the economy toward a higher pay and productivity model. It is partly because of the post-Covid rise in economic inactivity. Economists caution that migration should not be a solution to a declining labor force.
We agree that being dependent on immigrating people from other countries for the UK labor shortage won’t work. Still, it can be a helping effort until the UK becomes self-sufficient. The state where the UK won’t need skilled workers from other countries to migrate and work there for them. Thus, immigration plays a significant role in the UK’s labor shortage. But it must be considered a partial solution.
There are still many opportunities for overseas workers to immigrate and fill the UK employment gap by working there. But are you worried about how to apply for that? Do not worry. Dynamic Staffing Services is here to help you. We’ll help you get employment in the UK with the help of our 47 years of experience and expertise in overseas recruitment. We will help you through this journey!
Read More:- How to Hire Overseas Workers to fill Recruiting Gaps in the UK
