Net migration of EU citizens into the UK falls to six-year low as businesses are warned of a skills gap
Net migration of EU citizens into the UK has fallen to its lowest level since 2012 as business leaders warn of a record skills gap and recruitment problems.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 87,000 more EU citizens moved to the UK during the year to March 2018, down from 123,000 the previous year – the lowest in six years.
The figure has declined sharply from its peak of 189,000 in the year to June 2016 before the EU referendum.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said it was “disappointing” and the government should be doing more to attract Europeans to the UK ahead of Brexit to fill record skills gaps faced by businesses.
ONS also reported a net migration of 235,000 non-EU nationals – a record high – but warned “unusual patterns” seen for student immigration in 2016 made year-on-year comparisons unreliable.
Nicola Rogers, from the ONS centre for migration, said: “Looking at the underlying numbers we can see that EU net migration has fallen, as fewer EU citizens are arriving in the UK, and has now returned to the level last seen in 2012.
“Much of the recent fall is in people from the western European countries that make up the 'EU15' group.”
Head of business environment and skills at the BCC, Jane Gratton, said: “These figures are nothing to celebrate, and given businesses are facing record skills gaps at every level it’s disappointing to see the decline in people from Europe coming here to work.
“Despite valiant efforts to recruit at home, plus heavy investment in training, employers still need great people to fill job vacancies where there are local shortages.
She added: “As the UK leaves the European Union, our government should be shouting from the rooftops about its desire to keep attracting talented people from the Continent and beyond who want to live and work in one of the world’s most dynamic economies.”