Should UK regions be able to offer region-specific work permits if free movement from the EU goes after Brexit?
This is a really interesting question particularly for areas in the UK where the population is ageing faster than elsewhere (Scotland for example) or for those that just think they need a constant supply of cheap labour to keep the show on the road (London, where EU nationals make up 25% of the workforce, for example).
"Yes" is also a perfectly good answer. In the Times today, Mark Littlewood of the Ibnsitute of Economic Affairs suggests that "devolved authorities should be able to issue their own work permits." Get one for London and it would come with an L on it. Get one for Scotland and it would come with an S on it. You'd then be entitled to live and work in those regions regardless of your nationality.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
There's precedent for this in Australia and in Quebec, as Michael Glackin points out in the Scottish Sunday Times, and the Centre for Economics and Business Research points out in a new report.
In Australia, regional governments can directly recruit workers on a points system and in Quebec there is a devolved policy that allows the region to recruit skilled migrants in any sector. There is more on this here.
Overall it seems like a perfectly reasonable way of dealing with a lot of the things Scotland and London are worried about around Brexit. It also works in the generally successful economies of Canada and Australia. So it is well worth Theresa May thinking about properly.
-
A junior ISA could turn your child’s pocket money into thousands of poundsPersuading your child to put their pocket money in a junior ISA might be difficult, but the pennies could quickly grow into pounds – and teach them a valuable lesson about money
-
Cost of Christmas dinner jumps 6.5% as grocery price inflation rises againThe average Christmas dinner for four now costs £32.57 as grocery price inflation increases - but what does it mean for interest rates?
-
Beating inflation takes more luck than skill – but are we about to get lucky?Opinion The US Federal Reserve managed to beat inflation in the 1980s. But much of that was down to pure luck. Thankfully, says Merryn Somerset Webb, the Bank of England may be about to get lucky.
-
Rishi Sunak can’t fix all our problems – so why try?Opinion Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement is an attempt to plaster over problems the chancellor can’t fix. So should he even bother trying, asks Merryn Somerset Webb?
-
Young people are becoming a scarce resource – we should value them more highlyOpinion In the last two years adults have been bizarrely unkind to children and young people. That doesn’t bode well for the future, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
-
Ask for a pay rise – everyone else isOpinion As inflation bites and the labour market remains tight, many of the nation's employees are asking for a pay rise. Merryn Somerset Webb explains why you should do that too.
-
Why central banks should stick to controlling inflationOpinion The world’s central bankers are stepping out of their traditional roles and becoming much more political. That’s a mistake, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
-
How St Ives became St Tropez as the recovery drives prices sky highOpinion Merryn Somerset Webb finds herself at the epicentre of Britain’s V-shaped recovery as pent-up demand flows straight into Cornwall’s restaurants and beaches.
-
The real problem of Universal Basic Income (UBI)Merryn's Blog April employment numbers showed 75 per cent fewer people in the US returned to employment compared to expectations. Merryn Somerset-Webb explains how excessive government support is causing a shortage of labour.
-
Why an ageing population is not necessarily the disaster many people think it isOpinion We’ve got used to the idea that an ageing population is a bad thing. But that’s not necessarily true, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
