While trade barriers, immigration control, and exit fees are top-of-mind for many as the Article 50 negotiations begin, it seems British Home Secretary Amber Rudd has other priorities. As The Sun reports, Rudd is looking at introducing new ‘barista visas’ to ensure coffee shops and pubs are still fully staffed after Brexit.
Under the plan, young European citizens will still be able to come to the UK and work in the hospitality industry when we leave the EU. But their time here will be strictly limited to two years and they won’t be able to claim benefits or free housing. The proposal has been suggested by Migration Watch UK chairman Lord Green and was dubbed “a good idea” by a senior Home Office source. It is based on the current Youth Mobility Scheme for travellers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Explaining his plan, Lord Green told The Sun:
“We can kill two birds with one stone here… We can meet the needs of pubs and restaurants and maintain our links with young Europeans by allowing them to come for a strictly limited period of two years to work.”
The crossbench peer and former Foreign Office ambassador added:
“They could work at any level but would not become long term immigrants who would add to the pressure on public services… Nor should they qualify for benefits or housing.”
Raising pay to coax more Brits into the trades or improving production methods should be considered first before exceptions are granted to keep their access to migrants, but Lord Green added: “It is quite possible that an unlimited supply of cheap labour has been a disincentive to investment in machinery”.
So as long as the cheap labor can flow, everything will be fine… where have we seen that before? Or perhaps this is next?
via http://ift.tt/2pqmXRW Tyler Durden