Another Benefit of Brexit?

Can all the really brainy commentators on GNet tell us simples just what the way forward is?

ronib

Can all the really brainy commentators on GNet tell us simples just what the way forward is?

The way forward for what, ronib?

MaizieD what to do about the present impasse. Out of the EU and nowhere to go?

Change the government and go for closer alignment with the EU, with a view to applying to rejoin once we've proved we're a grown up nation again...

MaizieD Keir Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU apparently. I do like the idea of closer alignment with the EU but maybe it’s not that easy? I think the EU isn’t that interested in cooperating with us!

Oh yes, they are. But not at any price or condition. It will probably have to include Free Movement, as for Norway and Switzerland.

Fleurpepper

Oh yes, they are. But not at any price or condition. It will probably have to include Free Movement, as for Norway and Switzerland.

Yes they would cooperate as long as we comply with their rules, it’s their club after all, why would they change the rules for us.

The skilled workers visa is a form of freedom of movement for the people we need to have here. There is another visa too for students.

The skilled worker visa has a minimum wage level, that is probably too low to attract many into the UK, there are currently better prospects in other countries.

Katie59 The minimum salary is
1. £25600 per annum
2. £10.10 per hour
3. The going rate for the job

There’s no maximum. Am bit confused by your comment. In what way is it too low?

It is very low for a skilled worker compared to other countries. This is even lower if you compare the exchange rate for Sterling with other currencies- considering many immigrant workers want to save and send money for their family back home, or save for when they go back after some years.

Fleurpepper skilled worker visa doesn’t mean it’s a low salary … anything over £10.10 per hour qualifies, or over £25,600 so it could be £50k? It’s the going rate for the job.

It is also an expensive and protracted application process, with a health service premium and proof of ability to support, it does not look attractive for a skilled worker, there are shortages in many EU countries with no beaurocracy.

Fleurpepper should have said concept of low salary depends on the country of origin. In Greece for example salaries are very very low.

ronib

MaizieD Keir Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU apparently. I do like the idea of closer alignment with the EU but maybe it’s not that easy? I think the EU isn’t that interested in cooperating with us!

It's politic for him to do that. With possibly another 18months to go before a General Election why give the tories and the right wing, Brexit supporting, media a stick to beat him with during that period?

I think he'll move back to alignment and closer co-operation once in power. It would be foolish not to.

Yes, but if Greek people go and work abroad, they will prefer to work where they are paid more than in the UK, and then get a much better exchange rate with their currency. Double win!

Fleurpepper surely this was the case before we left the EU too? In fact there are thriving French and Greek communities in London.

But it is not attracting new people. Sterling has tanked in last few years, so any savings would lose a lot of value now, compared to other currencies. Different for those who have settled here for some time.

Brexit has given them the impression that we dont like foreigners, that does not help either, skilled workers often have a family, it’s more cost for them to move here. If we really wanted skilled workers there would be a “Golden Hello”.

So it is a treble negative combo- lower salary than elsewhere- lower exchange rate to return money home, and worse conditions and no welcome on top. No wonder!

Fleurpepper

But it is not attracting new people. Sterling has tanked in last few years, so any savings would lose a lot of value now, compared to other currencies. Different for those who have settled here for some time.

I’m not a Brexit supporter Fleurpepper, but I know that what you have said about the pound tanking against the euro isn’t a phenomenon which correlates to Brexit happening. The pound has been relatively weak against the euro since 2008, and it’s not changed dramatically in the interim. I think it’s because other Europeans no longer feel welcome in the UK, and the bureaucracy, rather than the finance side of it that is putting them off coming here to work.

The Euro is not the only currency workers take into consideration when looking for work abroad. But yes, for the rest.

ronib

The skilled workers visa is a form of freedom of movement for the people we need to have here. There is another visa too for students.

The loss of freedom of movement is not just people, it's the loss of free movement of capital, goods and services also.
So, no, the visa does not replace in any way the lost freedoms.

Normandygirl recently we bought items from an artist working in the Uk but delivered with all appropriate customs declarations from Latvia. The delivery costs were very economical too. I can’t but help think that movement of goods need not be such a big issue.

Wonder when the EU is going to let us off the naughty step?

What is the “naughty step”? Do you mean being treated as a non EU member? Isn’t that what Brexit suppporters want?