Migrant worker numbers fall in wake of EU vote

Kent has seen a significant fall in the number of migrant workers registering in the county just one year after Brexit, figures have revealed.

The drop will be seen as further evidence of the impact of the vote to leave and is also likely to cause concern among employers in both the private and public sector.

According to data based on National Insurance number allocations, Kent saw 13,926 workers from overseas in 2016-17 register, representing a drop of 956 (6.4%) compared to 2015-16.

Romania accounted for the bulk of migrant workers – 4,265 – representing an increase of 57 on the previous year.

However, there was a decline in the number of Polish migrants registering to work in Kent, a country which has traditionally figured highly in terms of the migrant workforce.

Some 1,384 workers registered – still the third highest number, but a fall of 551 on the previous year, down 28%.

Despite this fall, nearly 70% of migrants – some 9,480 – were workers from EU accession states, particularly Romania and Bulgaria where restrictions on their movement were lifted in 2014.

When it came to the numbers in different parts of the county, figures show Maidstone saw the sharpest drop in registrations with 2,561 – down 459 on 2015-16.

But it still remains the area with most new allocations, followed by Canterbury with 2,229 and Swale with 1,697, which both saw small falls.

By contrast, Sevenoaks was the only part of the county to see a modest increase of 13 to 666.

The uncertainty over the status of EU citizens is already creating challenges for Kent employers.

The KM Group revealed how almost 400 staff have left hospital trusts in the year running up to the Brexit and its aftermath.

And Kent farmers who rely heavily on seasonal labour have flagged up concerns that the uncertainty may deter workers from abroad taking up jobs.