Shortage of talent faces UK

BRITAIN: Britain is facing a postbrexit shortage of talent with a marked decline in the number of overseas professionals looking for work in the UK, data from more than 3 million people reveals.

The study by the networking website Linkedin found a 12 per cent fall in the number of workers looking to come to the UK since the referendum in June.

The decline was steep in key sectors of the economy, with a 14 per cent decrease in foreign graduates looking for employment at IT companies and a 12 per cent drop in those looking to work in the London financial district.

At the same time there was a marked rise in UK graduates looking for opportunities abroad.

In the aftermath of the vote to leave the EU, almost 14 per cent of all job searches were by UK graduates looking for work abroad.

Overall interest in UK jobs from graduates from the 27 other members of the EU fell by 20 per cent after the referendum.

The Linkedin research is the first evidence that business fears of a post-brexit brain drain may be being realised.

The study found an 8 per cent drop in interest in London as a destination for young international graduates. The decline was marked among other EU citizens. There was an 18 per cent fall off in interest from EU workers looking for IT vacancies in the UK and a 12 per cent decline in professions such as accountancy and law.

Business groups said the study reinforced the message that Brexit could lead to a significant skills gap.

‘‘The UK government must do everything in its power to show individuals . . . that the UK is welcoming and open for business,’’ Josh Hardie, deputy directorgeneral of the Confederation of British Industry, said. – The Times