It isn't black and white.Jdsk wrote: ↑14 Sep 2021, 1:29pmThat may well be the case.al_yrpal wrote: ↑14 Sep 2021, 1:27pm As well as Brexit not enabling EU lorry drivers to return to the UK no doubt many dont want to return here during the pandemic. That was certainly true of many Bulgarians and Romanians that worked in our local meat processing plants according to the charity that worked with them.
But it wouldn't matter whether they want to return or not as they aren't allowed to by the UK government.
Jonathan
There's nearly 6 million EU citizens who have had their registration for the EU Settlement Scheme accepted, settled or pre-settled status, of which around 3.5 million are presently in the UK. They don't have to have been in the UK when they applied, they don't have to remain in the UK once it's been accepted, I think it remains valid for five years outside the UK.
The reason/s those 2.5 million who could work in the UK are not, isn't known. I'd be surprised if the pandemic hadn't played a part for some, it's played a part in just about every aspect of our lives it'd be surprising if it hadn't in this.
This shouldn't be controversial, it doesn't account for the labour shortage, it is a contributory factor. A large proportion of economic migrants have always been transitory. They're unlikely to have qualified under the EU Settlement Scheme even had they wanted to and of course that isn't an option for any new influx.
Those clamouring for proof, could just have googled, this was pretty much the first hit
https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2021/07/02/are- ... in-the-uk/