EU workers in UK’s hospitality sector at lowest level in years: Fourth
Brits now represent half of the workforce.
The proportion of workers from the European Union in the UK’s hospitality sector is now at its lowest level since 2016, according to new data from Fourth.
Analysing data of more than 700 companies across the restaurant, pub, bar and QSR sectors, the workplace solutions provider also revealed that EU workers made up 37% of the hospitality workforce in June 2021, compared to 43% in June 2019.
British workers represented 51% of the workforce in June 2021, compared to 46% in June 2019.
Total sector headcount this month was down 13% compared to July 2020, and down 23% compared to July 2019. The total headcount for Q2 2021 was also down 25% compared to Q2 2020.
Data also saw 45% of payroll staff remain on full or “flexi-furlough”, the smallest proportion of workers since the scheme was introduced.
Fourth suggested that the proportion of EU workers has been consistently declining since the UK formally left the European Union in January 2020, closely followed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic just two months later.
In that time, the proportion of EU workers in the sector dropped from 43% in January 2020 to 37% in June 2021. This has been offset by a steady increase in British nationals, rising from 46% in January 2020 to 51% in June 2021.
Meanwhile, the proportion of workers from non-EU countries has remained steady, increasing slightly from 11% in January 2020 to 12% in June 2021.
British workers account for 32% of back-of-house roles and 55% of front-of-house roles in June, the highest proportion seen since Fourth started recording this data. Conversely, workers from EU nations recorded the lowest proportional figures on record in the month, accounting for 52% of back-of-house roles and 36% of front-of-house roles.
For new starters in the sector, British workers lead the way, accounting for almost two-thirds (63%) in June, the highest figure on record, whilst EU nationals made up just a quarter (28%) of new hires, a significant reduction since January 2019 (50% of new starters). Workers from non-EU nations made up 10% of new hires.
The pub sector also appears to be the most resilient, with its headcount down 7% this month compared to July 2020, followed by hotels (13% down), restaurants (14% down) and QSRs (15% down).
Hours worked in June 2021 increased by 378% compared to June 2020, but was still down by 26% compared to June 2019. There were also 54% more starters than leavers in June 2021, a figure which has been consistent since April this year.
