A newly disclosed EU document from Politico highlights Brussels’ robust endorsement for a youth mobility scheme visa between the UK and the EU,[1] despite the UK Prime Minister’s rejection of the proposal with no plans to reconsider. Given the UK’s existing youth mobility schemes with other countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the Prime Minister’s reluctance to pursue a similar agreement with the EU may be impractical.
This initiative would especially benefit the hospitality sector, which is grappling with the most significant staffing shortages of any industry in the UK, with vacancies exceeding those recorded in 2020.[2] Young adults in the UK can also learn from a more ‘European’ attitude towards hospitality – where such work is seen as a respected profession. Embracing this perspective could significantly invigorate our national economy.
Staff shortages continue to grow
While us at Burgh Island are in a good position to employ top talent, thanks to our iconic status and employee-first policies, changes to immigration have undoubtedly impacted the hospitality industry, with hospitality vacancies rising by 72% since Brexit.[3] Furthermore, the visa restrictions implemented in 2024 are estimated to affect around 95% of migrant workers in the hospitality sector.[4] Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that 300,000 hospitality staff left the UK between 2020 and 2021,[5] with a third from the EU alone, highlighting the need for the UK to replace these workers.[6]
Currently, chefs are not on the Shortage Occupation List, while other roles such as hospitality supervisors, including housekeepers and receptionists, are ineligible for a visa altogether, with sommeliers only recently included. A youth mobility scheme would help fill these staffing gaps, enabling young, skilled Europeans to work flexibly as they travel or live temporarily in the UK.
A European touch
The classification of hospitality jobs in the immigration lists has also impacted the perception of them – further cementing the view of hospitality as unqualified labour for inexperienced staff. Yet compare this to the traditions in continental Europe of apprenticeship programmes and obtaining qualifications from world-leading hotel schools. That is why it is important for us, at Burgh Island, to have historically recruited staff from names such as the ESO Euroschool Hotel Academy and the EHL Hospitality Business School.
Indeed, only 5% of young adults in the UK consider pursuing a career in hospitality,[7] despite this age group making up a fifth of the hospitality workforce.[8] Apprenticeships can do much to convince young adults that hospitality is a serious, skilled profession, yet learning it from their peers and seniors can be even more impactful. A youth mobility scheme with the EU would lessen these pressures on the sector and allow UK hospitality businesses to recruit the finest talent, who believe in service as an art, while sending budding homegrown youths to learn from the best in the continent.
Navigating the future of hospitality
The hospitality sector has been on an upwards trajectory over the course of the year, seeing its first quarter-on-quarter growth since mid-2022 in Q2 2024.[9] In fact, staff vacancies have dropped from their peak of 176,000 in 2022 to 95,000, almost halving, according to the ONS.[10]
However, the Autumn Budget has complicated this progress. The increases in employer National Insurance contributions and minimum wage, while decreasing business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses next April, will put severe pressure on many businesses that already struggle to manage costs.
To achieve the Government’s goal of boosting economic growth, targeted support for the hospitality sector is essential. Agreeing a youth mobility scheme with the EU would improve the quality of the hospitality workforce – particularly at a time when businesses will not look at increasing expenditure – and drive consumer spending on hospitality, and overall tourism, across the country.
[1] https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-uk-youth-mobility-essential-brexit-reset-leak-shows/
[2] https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/campaign/workforce/
[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-65026562
[4] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jan/11/why-home-office-visa-plans-nail-in-coffin-uk-hospitality
[5] https://www.westminster.gov.uk/media/document/hospitality-and-leisure-sector-research
[6] https://www.thecaterer.com/news/more-than-92000-european-union-eu-workers-estimated-left-uk-hospitality-sector
[7] https://www.thecaterer.com/news/young-adults-not-consider-career-hospitality-study
[8] https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/07/19/How-will-the-NLW-change-impact-hospitality
[9] https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2024/08/19/hospitality-returns-to-outlet-growth-as-number-of-licensed-premises-increases
[10] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/timeseries/jp9o/unem
