British Businesses Worry About Immigration Obstacles for Hiring Overseas Workers After Brexit

According to a recent survey by CBI, over 70% of British businesses are concerned about a potential shortfall in skilled workforce as a result of complex immigration processes post-Brexit. A shortage of skilled workers from overseas has been highlighted as the biggest risk the labor market faces once Britain leaves the EU.

In addition, 65% of British companies surveyed indicate that the labor market is losing its sheen over the past few years over mounting concerns about Brexit. In more disappointing news, businesses feel more pessimistic about their hiring expectations now than they did in 2017 and 2018.

After Brexit, PM Boris Johnson has put forth an idea for a points-based system to deem the eligibility of migrant workers’ entry into Britain and to fast track the entry of exceptional talent. However, unless more reassuring details on how this would affect hiring of immigrant workers emerges, the uncertainty is likely to exert pressure on Britain’s robust labor market.