The latest figures from The Change Group have revealed that the number registrations from EU nationals seeking work in London’s top restaurants, gastropubs and eateries fell by 8.5% in 2018.
However, while EU applicants still account for more than half of registrations at Change, the number of Britons applying for hospitality jobs in London rose by almost 19%.
The release of this data follows comments made by UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls in January 2019 that the hospitality sector needs workers from the EU to “bolster home-grown workforces” and to continue its growth.
Changes in take-home pay
Meanwhile, the recruiter’s research also revealed that the average annual take-home pay of British hospitality workers has fallen by 3.4% while counterparts from the EU have seen their average salary rise by 8.5%.
This levelling out has seen UK hospitality workers’ pay fall by £1,100 on average, while workers from the EU have seen an average increase in salary of £2,434.
Therefore, with an average pay of £31,514 in 2018, British hospitality workers earned £429 more than their colleagues from the EU, and £514 more than those from non-EU countries – compared to 2017 data that showed British workers earn, on average, £3,964 more than colleagues from the EU.
Brexit impact
“We can see much greater nationality diversity in who is taking senior roles at London’s top hospitality establishments,” The Change Group’s director Jim O’Brien explained.
“This accounts for much of the levelling out of salaries between employees from different nationalities in 2018, which we think is a good thing.
“It is important that people from all countries can enjoy the same opportunities that Britons enjoy when working in hospitality in London.
“This data shows that Brexit is having a real impact on who is applying for jobs in London. We are delighted to see applications from the UK and other countries increase to make up the numbers. It is very heartening to see the overall number of registrations increase in the past year.
“However, the situation remains very difficult.
“Many restaurants are still struggling to get the people they need to fill positions, often after many months of trying to recruit.
“It is vital in these final stages of negotiation that the Government focuses on an immigration policy that will ensure free movement of talented, skilled employees from all parts of the world, to support vital industries such as hospitality.”
Interested in working in the pub industry? Then take a look at MA’s jobs site.
