Home Secretary Amber Rudd is looking at introducing new ‘barista visas’ to ensure coffee shops and bars keep EU staff after Brexit
Barista Visas will be limited to two years and and will not entitle users to benefits or free housing
HOME Secretary Amber Rudd is looking at introducing new ‘barista visas’ to ensure coffee shops and pubs are still fully staffed after Brexit.
Under the plan, young European citizens will still be able to come to the UK and work in the hospitality industry when we leave the EU.
But their time here will be strictly limited to two years and they won’t be able to claim benefits or free housing.
The proposal has been suggested by Migration Watch UK chairman Lord Green and was dubbed “a good idea” by a senior Home Office source.
It is based on the current Youth Mobility Scheme for travellers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
The respected immigration campaigner argues it solves the labour problem faced by restaurants and bars when Britain leaves the EU and ends freedom of movement.
But as the workers won’t be here for the longterm, they won’t add to pressure on already groaning public services.
Explaining his plan, Lord Green told The Sun: “We can kill two birds with one stone here.
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“We can meet the needs of pubs and restaurants and maintain our links with young Europeans by allowing them to come for a strictly limited period of two years to work.”
The crossbench peer and former Foreign Office ambassador added: “They could work at any level but would not become long term immigrants who would add to the pressure on public services.
“Nor should they qualify for benefits or housing.”
The Home Office’s Youth Mobility Scheme is also currently open to young people from Japan, Monaco and Taiwan.
But the plan would see it extended to all 27 remaining EU countries.
Lord Green also wants the government’s independent Migration Advisory Committee to study other alternatives to solve demands from each sector of the economy.
Raising pay to coax more Brits into the trades or improving production methods should be considered first before exceptions are granted to keep their access to migrants.
Lord Green added: “It is quite possible that an unlimited supply of cheap labour has been a disincentive to investment in machinery”.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Leaving the European Union allows Britain to take control of our immigration system.
“We are working across Government to identify and develop options to shape our future system to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people.
“It is logical to consult on proposals to make sure businesses, services and communities can contribute their views.
“However, as we are currently considering the various options as to how EU migration might work once we have left, it would be wrong to set out further positions at this stage.”