A comprehensive investigation has unveiled that areas in the UK that voted for Brexit have seen a notable increase in foreign workers since the 2016 referendum. Despite expectations of economic revitalisation, many of these regions have experienced a decline in overall prosperity during the same period.
Significant Growth in Foreign Workforce
An analysis of the latest Pay As You Earn data reveals that regions with strong Leave support have recorded a faster percentage growth in foreign workers since the Brexit vote. In Wigan—home to the recent Makerfield byelection—foreign workers represented less than 5% of the local workforce in June 2016. By December 2024, this figure had risen to nearly 10%, marking more than a doubling of their presence.
While the overall number of foreign workers across the UK rose by 40% since 2016, the increase in Leave-voting areas stands out. These regions, previously less accustomed to migrant workers, are now witnessing a significant shift in their labour landscape.
Disparities in Economic Prosperity
Despite the uptick in foreign employment, the economic outlook for Leave-voting areas has not improved. Analysis of deprivation data indicates that these regions, such as Boston and Skegness, have seen a relative decline in health measures, housing, and local services when compared to their Remain-voting counterparts. Strong Remain areas like Bristol Central and Cambridge have reported substantial improvements in their economic conditions, further widening the gap.
Anand Menon, director of The UK in a Changing Europe, emphasised the political implications of these changes. “People react to change,” he noted, explaining that while large cities may absorb increases in immigration with little notice, smaller towns may feel the impact acutely.
Migration Trends and Local Perceptions
The influx of foreign workers in Leave-voting areas complicates the narrative around Brexit. While migration surged after the referendum, particularly through health and care visas, net migration has since dropped as visas expire. This trend indicates that while the immediate effects of Brexit included an increase in foreign workers, the long-term implications for local economies and public sentiment remain uncertain.
Menon cautioned against attributing all local issues to Brexit alone. “It’s too simplistic to blame Brexit for everything that’s gone wrong in the last few years,” he remarked. He pointed out that many of these areas were already experiencing economic challenges before the referendum—a trend that has only been exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions.
The Bigger Picture
The findings from this research highlight a stark contrast between regions that supported Brexit and those that did not. While foreign workers have found new opportunities in areas that were once less diverse, the economic reality for many of these regions has not improved. The data suggests that the anticipated benefits of leaving the EU have yet to materialise for many communities.
Why it Matters
As the UK grapples with the long-term effects of Brexit, understanding the shifting demographics and economic disparities between Leave and Remain areas is crucial. The influx of foreign workers, coupled with stagnating prosperity in Leave-voting regions, challenges the narrative of a post-Brexit boom. It underscores the complexities facing the UK as it navigates its new relationship with Europe and the wider world—issues that will undoubtedly shape political discourse for years to come.
