47 per cent of skilled EU workers ‘could leave UK within five years’

One third of non-British workers are considering leaving the UK within the next five years, with highly skilled EU workers most likely to go, a new study has found.

2,242 EU and non-EU workers were surveyed, half living in the UK and half living outside, to see what they think makes Britain attractive and how likely they would be to come to, or leave, the country.

The UK was ranked as the most desirable place to work ahead of the US, Australia and Canada. 87 per cent of those living outside of the UK said they would consider moving here, Deloitte, the survey conductors, found.

Overall, 36 per cent of non-British workers in the UK said they were thinking of leaving within the same period. 26 per cent said they were considering leaving within three years.

Deloitte warns that the results will create short-term challenges in the UK including additional unfilled jobs. The data shows that UK businesses consider themselves as less ‘ready’ to adopt new technologies, including robotics, cognitive computing and artificial intelligence, as compared to other European countries.

David Sproul, chief executive of Deloitte north-west Europe, said: “The UK remains a highly attractive place to work for people from around the world. 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.”