Following last week’s announcement in Brussels, the Prime Minister today provided detail of the UK’s offer on employment rights, in the context of Brexit negotiations. The statement was positively received by the ALMR, as a clear and unambiguous signal that the package provides the stability and access to labour for which Britain’s eating and drinking out sector has been calling.
Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Pub, restaurant, club and coffee shop operators will be relieved that the detail provided today lives up to the positive signals that the Prime Minister gave in Brussels last week. We share her sentiment of not turning our backs on our colleagues and those that ensure the smooth operation of the UK’s eating and drinking out sector. Our reliance on non-UK labour to augment the thousands of jobs already filled by Britons is key to the ability to operate and to grow a sector that adds £32bn in GVA each year and has created 1 in 7 of new jobs.
“Among the new detail, we welcome in particular, the assurances that registration for migrant employees will be streamlined, reducing the administrative burden for employers and simplifying the process for workers.
“The Prime Minister’s assurances that provisions will be made to help EU workers’ families live with them in the UK will mean that nobody will have to choose between their job and their family.
“There is undoubtedly a long way to go before final details are agreed but this sends the right message to EU nationals – that they are welcome to work in the UK and, as taxpayers, enjoy the advantages of the country in the same way as any other taxpayer.
“Today’s earlier agreement with the DUP, for a working agreement that includes Brexit, alongside this promising employment proposal, is a welcome demonstration that Government is back in its stride. That can only be good for Britain, society and business, providing the stability that is so crucial to our members’ budgetary and growth planning.”
