EU citizens and UK businesses need reassurance of their status, says BCC
Theresa May needs to reassure British businesses and existing European Union workers on their residency rights, following the country’s decision to leave the trading block, an industry body said on Monday.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey found that more than two fifths of companies polled said their employees have expressed concern over their future in the country as some have already resigned in the wake of the Brexit vote.
BCC acting director general Adam Marshall, said: “Since the referendum many firms have expressed concern over the future status of their existing EU workforce. These hardworking people are absolutely vital to the success of businesses, and must be retained – we cannot afford to lose talented and skilled workers.
“Theresa May should reassure them as soon as possible that they will have the right to remain in the UK, to provide much-needed certainty both for EU employees and UK employers.”
The survey, carried out a month after June’s referendum, found that 41% of companies that employ EU workers say their staff have expressed uncertainty over their residency status in the UK.
About 5% of businesses that employ EU workers have seen them resign following the Brexit vote and 10% of businesses said their EU employees have said they intend to leave.
Of the 800 businesses surveyed, 60% think residency guarantees for EU workers would have a positive impact on their business, 28% said it would have none and 9% said they did not know.
Marshall said the government needs to clarify how new EU hires will be treated, as many businesses have also said they are uncertain about the people they want to recruit and if they will be able to continue working with them in the future.
He said that a “sensible” immigration policy is needed which allows businesses to plug the skills gap and that there should also be sustained investment in training of British workers.
Marshall added: “Guaranteeing the rights of EU workers is just one of the major issues that the new government needs to make, and quickly. Decisions on airport and rail expansion are long overdue, which along with action on infrastructure investment will be crucial to solidifying business confidence and laying the foundations for UK growth in the coming years.”
The Prime Minister told the BBC’s Andrew Marr on Sunday, she expected the status of British citizens in other EU countries to be guaranteed as she would “guarantee the status of the EU citizens living here”.