Plan to boost post-Brexit economy with 2 year migrants visas

The government have discussed the possibility of giving young migrants under the age of 30 work visas spanning two years, which will allow them to live and work in the country for this period of time. The government have been asked to consider the impact of Brexit on those wishing to work here, and experts have suggested that the country may benefit from allowing some younger EU natives to live and work in the UK.

 

There are a number of reasons why this is the case, but the main reason is that allowing younger workers to live in the UK in preference to older workers seems to be a better investment into UK businesses, as these workers have a greater number of years ahead of them in which to harness their skills and use them for the benefit of the UK. There is also the benefit of them contributing to the economy via taxes, which would be the case if they were earning a regular wage from the UK.

 

The proposal aims to bring the UK along the same lines as countries such as New Zealand and Australia, who already work on the basis that younger workers will have more relaxed work visas than older workers. It is thought that those who join a new country at a younger age would be much more likely to integrate better, and therefore be a more active and positive member of the community, than those who moved when they were older. This means that it would be of great benefit to the country not only from an economic point of view, but also from a social aspect, too.

 

The actual scheme itself may work on a points system when it is put into place. This would help businesses to find people with the skills that they need – something that has been a worry to many since Brexit was announced. Younger workers would gain more points simply because of their age, and they wouldn’t be required to earn as much before they were granted entry into the UK – with regional differences being taken into account, depending on where they were planning to live and work. A similar system is already in place for workers from countries including Japan, Canada and Australia, who can already apply for a two year work visa to work in the UK.

 

However, many are of the belief that numbers who wish to migrate to low-skilled jobs should be cut down, in favour of individuals who would be able to offer a great deal to the country that businesses would otherwise struggle to find. Research has shown that those moving to the country are much more likely to have a positive effect on the area in which they live if they have skills that are in short supply in the area.

 

There are worries with this idea, too. It is thought that if fewer low-skilled migrants are allowed to work in the UK, this may mean that wages – and therefore the ultimate cost to consumers – have to increase. However, by swapping labour for capital, the productivity of the overall workforce could potentially be boosted, which should overall bring a positive result.

 

Despite the fact that no plans or changes to the law have yet been put into place, there has been a rise in the number of EU natives who have chosen to either seek work elsewhere, or return to their home country. The highest number since 2009 left the UK in 2016, which means that trends could be changing even before it is written into any laws.

 

The UK will officially leave the EU in March 2019, and the government have assured businesses that any changes made will be rolled in gradually, rather than there being a sudden shift. This should give businesses time to adapt and ensure that they have enough employees to meet demand. It is yet to be seen exactly how the changes are going to affect the economy, and the government will need to watch carefully to see how new legislation is working. Only by analysing the effects of the changes as they happen can the government be sure that businesses won’t be irrevocably damaged.