It also lays bare the severity of the situation that the UK food and drink supply chain faces without reassurances regarding the future of EU workers. EU nationals number two million across the UK economy, with 20% of these workers employed across the food and drink supply chain.
The findings of the survey reveal:
- Almost half (47%) of businesses surveyed said EU nationals were considering leaving the UK due to uncertainty surrounding their future.
- Over a third (36%) of businesses surveyed said they would become unviable if they had no access to EU workers.
- Almost a third (31%) of businesses surveyed had seen EU nationals leave since the EU referendum.
- 17% of respondents said they would look to relocate overseas if they had no access to EU nationals.
Short term
- Legislate to secure the rights of EEA nationals currently in the UK.
- Review the recording of immigration data.
- Recognise the strategic importance of food and drink supply chain.
- Build an attractive and effective migration system.
- Ensure no cliff-edge when the UK leaves the EU.
- Increase efficiency through adequate Home Office resourcing.
- Investment in skills provision for the food and drink supply chain.
- Support access to hard-to-reach labour market solutions.
- Allow benefits system to make flexible working easier.
“The UK food and drink supply chain ensures that consumers have access to the safe, affordable and delicious range of food and drink that they have come to expect. Food is a matter of national security, so the results of this report are of central concern to businesses across the ‘farm to fork’ industries. It is only a matter of time before the uncertainty reported by businesses results in an irreversible exit of EU workers from these shores. This is a scenario that will hurt the UK culturally and economically.
“Without our dedicated and valued workforce we would be unable to feed the nation. This is why it is imperative that we receive assurances from Government about their future, and that of our wider workforce.”
For more information:
Tel: +44 0207 420 7152 / 7118
[email protected]
