Explore the surge in post-Brexit UK immigration, with foreign workers showing a clear preference for the UK job market over the EU, as revealed by Indeed. Discover the impact of the point-based system and changing job preferences on international candidates seeking opportunities in the UK.
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After the implementation of Britain’s post-Brexit immigration system, the country has become more appealing to foreign workers than the European Union, as indicated by data from job site Indeed. Following the immigration overhaul in 2021, interest in British job opportunities among international candidates has surged significantly.
Views of job listings in the UK from individuals outside the country have experienced a remarkable 142% increase since early 2021. This surge in interest is unprecedented, surpassing levels observed since at least 2017. The immigration changes, which introduced a point-based system in January 2021, have effectively streamlined the process for non-EU individuals to work in the UK.
Under this system, candidates are scored based on specific criteria such as language proficiency and having a valid job offer. Factors like holding a PhD, earning a high salary, or seeking employment in a sector with labor shortages can earn candidates additional points. To qualify for a visa, individuals must achieve a score of 70.
Notably, Indeed reports that slightly over 5 out of every 100 views of UK job listings on their platform originate from foreigners. This is a notable increase from the approximately 3 out of 100 prior to the pandemic. According to Pawel Adrjan, an expert from the recruitment website, the new immigration policy by the UK government has functioned as intended, with post-Brexit requirements for non-EU workers generally being more accommodating.
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The preferences of overseas workers for job roles have also shifted. Adrjan highlights the transition towards higher-skilled jobs, like software development, and a reduction in interest for lower-skilled positions that were traditionally favored by European workers.
The British Government has expanded its list of shortage occupations since the immigration policy overhaul. This expansion has facilitated immigration for professions like software developers, care workers, and even ballet dancers. Notably, the most significant surge in interest has been seen in social worker and home carer roles. Views on job listings for these positions originating from overseas workers have increased to over 9 out of 100, a notable rise from the roughly 2 out of 100 before the pandemic.
Nigeria, India, and South Africa have displayed particularly strong interest in UK job opportunities. Adrjan attributes this heightened interest to the inclusion of care jobs in the shortage occupation list in 2022.
Conversely, interest in EU-based jobs from overseas workers has remained relatively steady, with almost 3 out of every 100 views.
Net immigration to the UK reached a record high of 606,000 individuals in 2022, largely fueled by arrivals from outside the EU.
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