It shows a fall in NET migration, driven by a fall in immigration and a rise in emigration by EU citizens. Commenting, Recruitment & Employment Confederation director of policy Tom Hadley says:
“The news that more people from the EU are leaving the country and fewer are coming to the UK will be a concern for employers and should be a concern for government. Our data shows that candidate availability has been falling for four years. Employers will find roles even harder to fill as fewer people are coming to look for work. We need warehouse workers to pack up our deliveries, drivers to transport goods, and chefs and waiters in our restaurants. Employers will be hit hard at Christmas and no doubt the consumer will feel the effect as they end up paying more for products and services.
“The UK currently has a vibrant temporary labour market but as EU workers no longer feel welcome here it is under threat. We need this country to be an attractive place to work and live, which means the government needs to ramp up efforts on a Brexit deal that provides clarity for EU workers and assures them that they are valuable to this country. Post-Brexit immigration arrangements must also cater for temporary and seasonal workers to allow them to continue supporting the many sectors of our economy that rely on them.”
