The scheme would allow people aged between 18 and 30 to work and travel in Britain for two years without the additional requirements of sponsors or salary thresholds, The Caterer said.
In July, the Times reported the Home Office had started discussions with a number of EU countries that could be integrated into the youth mobility scheme and would support domestic recruitment.
The Sunday Times revealed it had obtained a list of countries the UK has started to target beyond Europe, including Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Chile. Non-EU member states Norway and Switzerland were also said to be on the list.
Government sources revealed to the Times that the scheme has been designed to fill “‘transient’ roles, such as baristas, au pairs and waiters” and would not offer “settlement routes” for people coming to the UK.
The number of job vacancies in the hospitality industry has fallen by 37,000 over the past year as of May, although the sector continues to struggle with staff shortages, with trade body UKHospitality stating vacancies were still 48 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
According to Business Live, hoteliers in Bristol have welcomed reports the government is in talks over new short-term visa schemes for young workers from some EU countries to plug gaps in the UK’s hospitality workforce.
The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA), which represents 40 hotels in the city, told the publication that the hospitality sector had been “hit hard” by the impact of Brexit and the Covid-19 lockdowns, with many businesses struggling to recruit staff back to pre-pandemic levels.
The group estimated there are currently around 700 chef vacancies, 400 housekeeping positions not filled and around 350 bar staff needed in the Bristol area.
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