Results of a detailed workforce survey have been published today by the North East England Chamber of Commerce which highlights concern about EU workers’ status after the Referendum result.
The Chamber survey results, taken a month after the referendum, were part of a national British Chambers of Commerce survey of more than 800 UK businesses which employ EU staff.
It found more than half of companies that employ EU workers say EU staff have expressed uncertainty over their future residency status .
A total of 29% of businesses surveyed thought residency guarantees for EU workers would have a positive impact on their business.
The chamber’s policy advisor Paul Carbert (pictured) said: “Our members have expressed concern over the future status of their existing EU workforce.
“The Government 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 North East is also home to thousands of students from the EU, who generate millions of pounds for our regional economy and support hundreds of jobs.
“It would be damaging if the government were to make it more difficult for international students to come to the North East to study, or for our employers to retain skilled graduates in the region.
“The government should now look to develop an immigration policy that allows businesses in the North East to attract global talent and address the skills shortages present in our region, alongside continued investment in training for UK workers.”