Brexit: and low-skilled migrant workers: "There are parts of the country where unemployment is really, really low [such as Exeter]. Many of the young unemployed people are on the other side of the country and they are not going to come down to Exeter, and they don't."

There's the fear of losing highly-skilled labour following Brexit:
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the brain drain

And there's the fear of losing low-skilled labour:
Futures Forum: Brexit: and warning of a labour crisis on the land

The problem is that whilst retirees might want to move down to the South West, not many younger people are looking for work in these parts:
Futures Forum: Brexit: and migrant workers not wanting to work on West Country farms

It's a problem, says the CBI:

Brexit Britain needs low-skilled migrant workers, says CBI

Dec 12, 2016

Carolyn Fairbairn tells MPs focus must 'move off the theory' to discussing where the economy most needs help

Debates about immigration post-Brexit need to move on from discussing highly-skilled professionals, says the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry.

Speaking to a select committee of MPs, Carolyn Fairbairn said there was a continuing call for migrants because the UK's young unemployed were generally unwilling to move to areas where they were needed,The Daily Telegraph reports. She also argued that there were too many unskilled jobs to be filled in any case.

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"There are parts of the country where unemployment is really, really low [such as Exeter]. Many of the young unemployed people are on the other side of the country and they are not going to come down to Exeter, and they don't," said Fairbairn.

Sectors such as construction and elderly care were particularly vulnerable to a crackdown on low-skilled labour, she said. "We have an aging population and a real demand for people who are happy to come and care for our aging population… It is time to move off the theory and on to understanding where we really do have these stresses and strains in the economy."

Earlier this month, a leaked account of discussions among Cabinet members revealed some senior ministers are pushing to allow high numbers of low-skilled workers to continue entering the UK.

Concern was focused on seasonal short-term work, such as fruit and vegetable picking. The National Farmers Union has warned a slowdown in migration from the EU since the referendum means some produce may go unpicked this year.

In general, there are around 1.6 million unemployed people in the UK, but 5.5 million foreign workers, including 3.5 million from Europe.

Uncertainty over the changed landscape for hiring in the wake of Brexit is giving businesses the jitters and hindering investment.

Declining business investment is the main factor behind weaker growth estimates for next year, with the Business Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today saying economic expansion will fall from 2.1 per cent this year to 1.1 per cent in 2017.

Adam Marshall, the director general of the BCC, told The Guardian: "While some firms see significant opportunities over the coming months, many others now see increasing uncertainty, which is weighing on their investment expectations and forward confidence."


Brexit Britain needs low-skilled migrant workers, says CBI | The Week UK
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