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Brexit Means Ex-Brit
Sep. 6th, 2017 10:58 pmMy hopes weren't particularly high this week as MPs returned to Parliament after the Summer recess, but even I didn't expect the last 48 hours to be so disheartening. It is clear that any humility that the General Election result last June had on the Tories has since dissipated, with the hardest of hard Brexits back on the agenda. Their sheer arrogance regarding their lack of accommodation for the 48% is bitter enough, but with every poll I have seen suggesting the British public prefers maintaining membership of the Single Market over immigration controls, I am not convinced this 'will of the people' shtick holds water any more. Not that this would bother them of course, their mendacity has been evident since the vote took place, but the sheer flagrancy of their duplicity has dissolved any trust I have in the British political system and I no longer believe that my own Government has my interests in mind. Indeed I think precisely the opposite and riseable language such as 'betrayal' and 'Remoaners', which was used in Parliament on Tuesday despite the knowledge that so many livelihoods will be affected by this, only adds to the sense that they just don't give a fuck. Their lack of empathy is disgusting and if my country doesn't give a fuck about me, then I don't see why I should give a fuck about my country. I am genuinely surprised by my depth of feeling on this, but then this whole sorry mess is totally self-inflicted. Blaming the EU butters no parsnips with me.
This strength of feeling was only enhanced yesterday evening with the leaked document on the potential post-Brexit immigration system in the Guardian. While this has yet to be signed off by ministers, this document was far worse than I had dared imagine and would pretty much put us out of business. Working in translation - with a strong need to have UK-based staff using specialist audio and video equipment - we have taken advantage of EU free movement rules to build a strong international team. They have worked symbiotically with our UK staff, with our ability to fulfil foreign language requirements almost invariably securing work in English too. This has enabled us to build our company, particularly over the last five years, boosting employment for both British nationals and Europeans.
All of this has now been threatened. Having dealt with the Home Office when trying to recruit non-EU staff on a permanent basis two years ago, the thought of having to go through this time-consuming and torturous procedure for every non-British employee would involve such huge levels of bureaucracy that it almost wouldn't be worth doing. It would certainly make things a lot more costly for us, reducing our competitiveness, yet we would have no option but to do it (and probably pay for the privilege too). The fact is that British nationals do not have the skills we need and never will - translation needs to be done by native speakers and even if it wasn't, how many Brits speak fluent Romanian or Bulgarian? - yet will our needs be considered above more profitable 'highly skilled' industries such as finance or tech? I highly doubt it. We'd likely slip through the cracks.
The EU nationals we currently employ are concerned about their rights and daren't plan their futures (thus affecting our own) while it is looking increasingly likely we won't be able to recruit the staff we need post-2019 based on the aforementioned system. The fact that it has been explicitly stated that the Government, rather than the employer, will decide on business need is a gross intrusion on our freedoms in itself but the inability to have a flexible workforce will invariably mean we will lose out on contracts to European competitors. This would reduce investment in the UK. We employ a number of freelance staff, and as self-employed workers it's highly likely they won't be allowed into the country at all, while I don't see any highly skilled worker coming to the UK for only 3-5 years when they can go to any other European company indefinitely. Why would they? As a result, where would we get the staff we need?
The second kicking came today, this time through the Labour Party. Their proposal to ban gambling sponsorship in football, combined with the triennial review of the industry due next month, will result in significant new restrictions on betting companies, which form the majority of our clients. As we provide value added services to them, it is possible that these may be cut, thus adversely affecting the company. Gambling seems to be the latest boogieman, with sustained media campaigns against the industry distorting the truth behind the statistics. Granted there are issues, particularly regarding FOBTs, but they have been somewhat exaggerated and the number of jobs under threat by these new laws is not something which should be considered lightly. Still, as we have seen with Brexit, if the media are on a crusade then they will continue to battle until they get what they want, which again results in a feeling of powerlessness over the politics of your own country.
All of this combined suggests that both major parties are not interested in the future of our business and are adopting policies which would actually harm us. We employ around 400 people, contribute a huge chunk to the local economy and have strong links with the local universities, offering placements and work experience to those who approach us. However, it is clear that our concerns are of no interest to those in power.
Consequently, having spoken to Wolfie, we have decided we will leave the UK in 2018 unless something drastic changes. I see this as being unlikely. I am still hoping to open a branch office for my company within the EU, which would enable me to live and work in a member state. My bosses have been lukewarm about the proposal thus far, but at least have been willing to listen, and I feel the immigration document has highlighted the need to consider this further. I really would like to do this - particularly as it would represent the next step regarding career progression - but I understand if my employers decide against it. However, I do think it would be advantageous for them too. Either way, I will be leaving the UK next year and although I do hope it will be with my current company, if it isn't then so be it. I haven't been happy here for some time and I am sick of feeling like this. It has always been my dream to live in Europe and with the door closing, it's time to act. It's earlier than I would have liked, but it is what it is. I just hope I'm not too late.
This strength of feeling was only enhanced yesterday evening with the leaked document on the potential post-Brexit immigration system in the Guardian. While this has yet to be signed off by ministers, this document was far worse than I had dared imagine and would pretty much put us out of business. Working in translation - with a strong need to have UK-based staff using specialist audio and video equipment - we have taken advantage of EU free movement rules to build a strong international team. They have worked symbiotically with our UK staff, with our ability to fulfil foreign language requirements almost invariably securing work in English too. This has enabled us to build our company, particularly over the last five years, boosting employment for both British nationals and Europeans.
All of this has now been threatened. Having dealt with the Home Office when trying to recruit non-EU staff on a permanent basis two years ago, the thought of having to go through this time-consuming and torturous procedure for every non-British employee would involve such huge levels of bureaucracy that it almost wouldn't be worth doing. It would certainly make things a lot more costly for us, reducing our competitiveness, yet we would have no option but to do it (and probably pay for the privilege too). The fact is that British nationals do not have the skills we need and never will - translation needs to be done by native speakers and even if it wasn't, how many Brits speak fluent Romanian or Bulgarian? - yet will our needs be considered above more profitable 'highly skilled' industries such as finance or tech? I highly doubt it. We'd likely slip through the cracks.
The EU nationals we currently employ are concerned about their rights and daren't plan their futures (thus affecting our own) while it is looking increasingly likely we won't be able to recruit the staff we need post-2019 based on the aforementioned system. The fact that it has been explicitly stated that the Government, rather than the employer, will decide on business need is a gross intrusion on our freedoms in itself but the inability to have a flexible workforce will invariably mean we will lose out on contracts to European competitors. This would reduce investment in the UK. We employ a number of freelance staff, and as self-employed workers it's highly likely they won't be allowed into the country at all, while I don't see any highly skilled worker coming to the UK for only 3-5 years when they can go to any other European company indefinitely. Why would they? As a result, where would we get the staff we need?
The second kicking came today, this time through the Labour Party. Their proposal to ban gambling sponsorship in football, combined with the triennial review of the industry due next month, will result in significant new restrictions on betting companies, which form the majority of our clients. As we provide value added services to them, it is possible that these may be cut, thus adversely affecting the company. Gambling seems to be the latest boogieman, with sustained media campaigns against the industry distorting the truth behind the statistics. Granted there are issues, particularly regarding FOBTs, but they have been somewhat exaggerated and the number of jobs under threat by these new laws is not something which should be considered lightly. Still, as we have seen with Brexit, if the media are on a crusade then they will continue to battle until they get what they want, which again results in a feeling of powerlessness over the politics of your own country.
All of this combined suggests that both major parties are not interested in the future of our business and are adopting policies which would actually harm us. We employ around 400 people, contribute a huge chunk to the local economy and have strong links with the local universities, offering placements and work experience to those who approach us. However, it is clear that our concerns are of no interest to those in power.
Consequently, having spoken to Wolfie, we have decided we will leave the UK in 2018 unless something drastic changes. I see this as being unlikely. I am still hoping to open a branch office for my company within the EU, which would enable me to live and work in a member state. My bosses have been lukewarm about the proposal thus far, but at least have been willing to listen, and I feel the immigration document has highlighted the need to consider this further. I really would like to do this - particularly as it would represent the next step regarding career progression - but I understand if my employers decide against it. However, I do think it would be advantageous for them too. Either way, I will be leaving the UK next year and although I do hope it will be with my current company, if it isn't then so be it. I haven't been happy here for some time and I am sick of feeling like this. It has always been my dream to live in Europe and with the door closing, it's time to act. It's earlier than I would have liked, but it is what it is. I just hope I'm not too late.
