Before the advent of Covid-19 and new immigration rules, the number of EU citizens arriving for work fell to 76,000 for the year ended December 2019, the lowest level since 2004, according to data from the Office of National Statistics.
ONS added that immigration for work-related reasons has fallen since the year ending June 2016 and can largely be accounted for by a decrease in EU citizens moving to the UK for work. Furthermore, since 2018 there has also been a fall in the number of people arriving with a definite job.
Overall, an estimated 270,000 more people moved to the UK with an intention to stay for 12 months or more than left (net migration). Over the year, 677,000 people moved to the UK (immigration) and 407,000 people left the UK (emigration).
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation responded to the latest ONS figures.
Tom Hadley Director of Policy and Campaigns at the REC, said, “Now is not the time to plough on with immigration reforms. Lots has changed since these figures were collected and coronavirus is causing huge uncertainty for businesses as they look towards reopening.”
“The country will recover from this pandemic – and ensuring businesses have the skills they need in future will be essential to the recovery. From carers and cleaners to retail workers and drivers, the current crisis is showing us how much we depend on people at all skill levels.
“Pre-crisis, REC’s data found that of the job titles reported as having a shortage of skills, 49% were ranked as below level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) meaning they would not qualify for a visa as a skilled worker. From January, these are roles that employers won’t be able to fill with new migrants to the UK. We need a temporary visa immigration route that meets the needs businesses in every sector of the economy. Post-Brexit and post-virus, this will help businesses succeed and support job and growth here in the UK,” Hadley said.
SOURCE: Staffing Industry Analysts
