The UK government is thinking of launching a short-term visa programme that would aid in bringing in foreign workers without influencing population growth rates and addressing employment shortages in the hospitality industry.
The Home Office has reportedly begun talks with some EU nations for expanded youth mobility programmes while maintaining stable net migration rates after the UK recorded an all-time high migration rate last year, according to sources in The Times.
More specifically, the plans would make it possible for young individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 to work in the UK for up to two years without needing an employer’s sponsorship and without being subject to the same skill and income standards that are necessary under the present Skilled Worker route. Employers could thus use the plan to fill entry-level roles inside their organisations.
If adopted, the decision would benefit the UK hotel sector, which was adversely impacted by Brexit, the pandemic, and the current weak economy. The hospitality industry was one of the industries that attracted employees from the EU, but after Brexit, new immigration policies have affected people’s willingness to fill specific positions like servers, baristas, and housekeepers.
Although there are fewer open positions now than there were a year ago, this industry still faces a staffing crisis. According to the trade group for the hospitality industry, there are currently about 48% more job openings than there were before the pandemic.
“Anything that can assist us in finding the employees we need to get our businesses fully operational again is appreciated and will make a significant impact. Raphael Herzog, Chair of the Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA), stated, “We would also like the visa scheme to move beyond the EU, extend to countries like India, and increase the roles it would apply to where we already see shortages.
He added that while expanding the plans to include cooks, therapists, room attendants, and other occupations would be acceptable, the current proposals would only cover such like baristas and waiters.
The Skilled Worker route currently allows licenced sponsors to hire employees in the hospitality industry in a small number of eligible roles, including chefs (5,434), catering and bar managers (5,436), restaurant and catering managers and proprietors (1,223), publicans and managers of licenced premises (1,224) and hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors (1221).
On the other hand, with 44.3% of their workforce holding a position requiring a higher level of qualification, UK workers abroad, such as in Switzerland, hold some of the most managerial roles in the nation.
