A large number of Polish and other European citizens have left the UK since the Brexit vote. According to the Office for National Statistics net migration has fallen by 84, 000 to 248, 000 in 2016 as a result of EU citizens leaving the country.
The ONS also said that the fall in net migration in 2016 was driven by a 40,000 rise in emigration compared with 2015, mainly of EU citizens, and a fall of 43,000 in immigration.
The immigration drop was partly due to 25,000 fewer Poles and other eastern Europeans – citizens of the A8 countries – coming to work in Britain. Net migration has reached its lowest level since some of the A8 countries joined the EU in 2004.
The uncertainty about their legal status in Britain has caused in increase in EU nationals applying for permanent residence to the Home Office. According to the Guardian more than 103,000 decisions were made in the first three months of this year compared with 77,000 between October and December 2016.
Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party has interpreted the vote to leave the European Union as a reaction against immigration, pledging to reduce net migration to below 100,000 people following the election.
“Tough general election rhetoric on cutting migration is only likely to encourage more of the EU workers British businesses and public services rely upon to choose to cross the channel in search of a more secure future for themselves and their families,” Sophie Barrett-Brown, head of the UK Practice at Laura Devine Solicitors, said in an emailed statement.
Some businesses groups warned that a sharp fall in net migration last year, driven by a dramatic increase in EU nationals fleeing the UK, meant employers risk "losing key members of staff in positions that cannot easily be replaced".
Seamus Nevin, head of employment and skills policy at the Institute of Directors commented:
“The next government must also set out a plan for a new immigration system which doesn’t disrupt the dominant services sector of our economy. Trade isn’t just about goods being sold, services exports require people to be able to travel for business. Services comprise roughly 80 per cent of UK employment and almost half of our exports, so a reduction in this area could lead to job losses and a considerable adjustment for the UK economy. Our migration system will play a central part in shaping ‘Global Britain’s’ future trading relationship, not only with the EU, but also with the rest of the world.”
SOURCE: The Way
