Brexit, the United Kingdom’s historic decision to leave the European Union (EU), has been a subject of intense debate and speculation since the referendum in 2016. One of the key areas that garnered significant attention during the Brexit negotiations and beyond is the impact on the UK labour market. As we approach the mid-point of 2023, it’s an opportune time to examine whether Brexit has had a substantial effect on the UK’s workforce and employment landscape.  

Understanding the Brexit Context 

Before we delve into the impact of Brexit on the UK labour market, it’s essential to briefly recap the key elements of this monumental political and economic shift. On January 31, 2020, the UK officially left the EU, initiating a transition period that lasted until December 31, 2020. During this transition period, the UK and EU negotiated various agreements, including the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which came into effect on January 1, 2021. 

 
Brexit was expected to bring about significant changes in the UK’s relationship with the EU, particularly regarding the movement of goods, services, and people. These changes have had implications for businesses, trade, and, of course, the labour market. 

Brexit and the UK Labour Market 

The impact of Brexit on the UK labour market has been a topic of great concern, with various stakeholders expressing both optimism and apprehension. While some predicted widespread disruption to employment and a shortage of skilled workers, others believed that Brexit could lead to more opportunities for British workers and greater control over immigration. 

Areas where Brexit has affected the UK labour market: 

Immigration Rules: One of the most significant changes post-Brexit was the implementation of a points-based immigration system. This system prioritises highly skilled workers and imposes stricter requirements on employers looking to hire from overseas. This had an impact on industries heavily reliant on foreign workers, particularly healthcare, hospitality, and agriculture. 

Supply Chain Disruptions: Brexit has caused disruptions in supply chains, impacting industries that rely on just-in-time inventory systems. These disruptions have had a knock-on effect on employment in manufacturing and related sectors. 

Skills Shortages: The UK has faced challenges related to skills shortages in certain industries, particularly healthcare and technology. While some attribute these shortages to Brexit, others argue that broader factors, such as an aging workforce, also play a role. 
 

Remote Work and Gig Economy: The rise of remote work and the gig economy has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this trend may have been further influenced by Brexit-related uncertainties. 

Automated technology to navigate the Post-Brexit Labour Market 

 
In this changing landscape, technology solutions have become invaluable tools for employers, recruitment agencies, and candidates alike to help businesses adapt to the evolving labour market. Some ways these technologies have impacted organisations and workers is through: 

Recruitment and Onboarding: The need to streamline the recruitment process, helping organisations find the right talent quickly. With a focus on data-driven decision-making, automated technology platforms can help businesses identify skill gaps and hire strategically. 
 

Talent Pool Management: In a labour market where talent shortages are a concern, the need to help employers build and maintain a community of potential candidates for future positions, reducing recruitment lead times, is critical. Candidates can be automatically placed into the proper community based on their data, activity, and behaviors in a company’s ecosystem.  This allows for automated engagements tailored to each person for any reason.   
 

Communication and Engagement: Effective communication is crucial in attracting and retaining talent. Technology must offer tools for personalised candidate engagement, enhancing the candidate experience. 

Compliance and Reporting: Given the changing immigration rules and regulatory landscape post-Brexit, staying compliant is essential. Technology provides tools for tracking and reporting on compliance with immigration and employment regulations. 

Brexit has undoubtedly brought about changes in the UK labour market, impacting industries, immigration rules, and skills shortages. However, the full extent of these changes and their long-term effects remain a topic of ongoing analysis and debate. 
 

In this evolving landscape, technology solutions like WorkLLama’s AI-driven, talent marketing, relationship management, and direct sourcing suite, have been helping shore up the gaps created by Brexit. It is one native platform candidate relationship management (CRM), on-demand staffing, and direct sourcing tools that help companies build communities of engaged talent. We’ve proven to be a valuable asset for businesses seeking to navigate the complexities of the post-Brexit labour market. By streamlining recruitment, managing talent communities, automating communication, and ensuring compliance, WorkLLama empowers businesses to adapt to changing conditions and thrive in the new era of the UK labour market.