Mon 20 May 2019, 11:20 AM | Posted by editor
LETTER by Mark Langabeer, Newton Abbot Labour Party
A recent episode of Dispatches, Channel 4’s documentary programme, entitled ,‘When the immigrants Leave’ reveal how damaging Brexit could be. The reporter, Seyi Rhodes, believes that one of the main reasons for supporting Brexit was the belief that it would reduce immigration. Rhodes focused on three sectors: agriculture, social care and the NHS. He interviewed a pro-Brexit farmer who believed that it would be better for the country, but a personal disaster for him. As a producer of strawberries and apples, he relies on seasonal migrant labour to pick the fruit.
Rhodes travels to Scarborough, to meet the owner of a nursing care home who also depends on EU migrant Labour. He stated that he voted to leave but has changed his mind. As things currently stand, all the 3.7 million EU nationals can stay. However, new arrivals will be restricted to 12 month visas for so-called unskilled labour. This will make it harder for employers to recruit staff, because many settle and raise families in the UK. This is less likely with temporary visas.
At a jobs fair in Scarborough, Rhodes interviewed a number of young people who are put off from working in social care because of low pay and the responsibilities of the work. One 23-year old stated that he would do anything for £15 an hour, but was not willing to “wipe arses” for only £7.50. Nationally, there are 110,000 vacancies in the social care sector and 75% of care home employers believe that the new rules will make it harder to recruit EU nationals.
Rhodes interviewed a spokesman from Kingston Hospital who stated that around a third of EU staff had left since the vote to leave the EU. The Tories’ decision to replace bursaries with loans for trainee nurses has exacerbated the staffing shortages. Some staff have felt unwelcome since the referendum result. The spokesperson felt that there hadn’t been any joined-up thinking, regarding staffing levels in the NHS.
Those who that think curbing Immigration from the EU is desirable may be in for a shock. The programme reported that there has been a rise from non-EU states. It has increased by a third and higher than anytime in the last 15 years. In fact, EU migration was beginning to ebb prior to the referendum, due mostly to improved living standards in eastern europe. Rhodes interviewed some Romainian youth who showed as little appetite as British youth to pick strawberries.
Rhodes interviewed a spokesman for a recruiting agency in the Ukraine, where the minimum wage is almost 10 times less than that of the UK. It’s likely that the non-EU Labour will increasingly replace EU migrants in the coming period. Either way, replacing free movement of labour with immigration controls will not solve the problems faced by working people. It can only serve as a wedge to divide and divert people from the true causes of the problems facing Britain.
