UK's post-Brexit immigration plan slammed: 'Catastrophic' for employers

A leaked Government whitepaper detailing its post-Brexit immigration policy, has sparked criticism from a number of employers and industry leaders.

The plan includes ending free movement of labour immediately and adding restrictions that attempt to deter all but highly-skilled EU workers from entering the UK.

Employers have warned that the policy would be “catastrophic” for some industries, especially those reliant on migrants. Currently, around 2.2million European Union nationals work in Britain, making up seven per cent of the workforce.

Yet, Britain’s ‘Brexit’ stance on European workers has already had an effect on employment figures. According to the ONS, there has been a 1.1% drop in the number of workers from eight eastern European countries in the three months to June.