Skills shortage: UK faces challenge keeping overseas skilled workers

The UK is still an attractive place to live and work but could face challenges in retaining large numbers of non-British workers, according to research by Deloitte.

A report by the business advisory company surveyed 2,242 EU and non-EU workers, half living in the UK and half living outside, to examine their views on what makes the UK attractive and how likely they would be to come to, or leave, the country.

The findings indicate significant changes in the UK labour market, which will see the need to take immigration approach, upskilling UK workers and making better use of automation for the UK to adapt successfully.

89% of non-British workers say they find the UK either quite attractive or highly attractive as a work destination and of those currently based outside the UK, 87% would consider moving to the UK if the right opportunity presented itself.

Highly-skilled non-EU citizens are the most likely to choose moving to the UK, 94% say they would move to the UK if they could, with 83% of highly-skilled EU citizens saying the same. Among less-skilled workers, 79% of EU nationals and 93% of non-EU nationals would consider moving to the UK.

For respondents based outside the UK, the UK ranked as the most desirable place to work with 57% of respondents placing it in their top three destinations, ahead of the US (30%), Australia (21%) and Canada (19%).

Respondents already in the UK were asked what attracted them to the UK. 51% put job opportunities in their top three choices, followed by cultural diversity (34%), better lifestyle (30%) and work-life balance (27%). For those outside the UK, 54% said job opportunities was a strength for the UK, followed by cultural diversity (43%) and work-life balance (40%). London was also cited by 37% of respondents as a strength, as was the UK’s global connections (30%).

David Sproul, Senior Partner and Chief Executive of Deloitte North West Europe, said: “Despite political and economic uncertainties, more people are attracted to live and work in the UK than anywhere else in the world. Nine out of ten overseas workers would consider moving to the UK if the right opportunity presents itself. The UK’s cultural diversity, employment opportunities and quality of life are assets that continue to attract the world’s best and brightest people.

“But overseas workers, especially those from the EU, tell us they are more likely to leave the UK than before. That points to a short to medium term skills deficit that can be met in part by upskilling our domestic workforce but which would also benefit from an immigration system that is attuned to the needs of the economy.”

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