Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK’s Asylum System and Labor Shortages

Post originally Published May 11, 2024 || Last Updated May 11, 2024

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.


Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Navigating the Complexities - Brexit's Reshaping of UK's Immigration Landscape


The UK's post-Brexit immigration landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with the end of free movement and the introduction of a new points-based system.

As the UK continues to adjust to the new realities, the long-term implications of these changes remain a subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny.

The UK's post-Brexit migration system has introduced a points-based system that treats EU and non-EU migrants more equally, in contrast to the previous free movement rules within the EU.

The new immigration rules have led to a significant reduction in net migration from the EU, with the UK now attracting more skilled workers from outside the European bloc.

The asylum system in the UK has undergone major reforms following Brexit, including stricter eligibility criteria and increased border controls, raising concerns about the treatment of vulnerable groups.

Brexit has had a substantial impact on labor shortages in certain sectors, as the reduced influx of EU workers has created gaps in the workforce, particularly in industries like healthcare, hospitality, and agriculture.

The UK government's commitment to ending free movement has resulted in a more selective approach to immigration, prioritizing skilled workers in high-demand industries and potentially leading to a brain drain in other sectors.

What else is in this post?

  1. Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Navigating the Complexities - Brexit's Reshaping of UK's Immigration Landscape
  2. Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Labor Shortages - Assessing the Gaps Across Sectors
  3. Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Asylum Policy Overhaul - Examining the Nationality and Borders Bill
  4. Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Refugee Rights and Protections - Upholding International Standards
  5. Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - House of Lords' Assessment - Insights into the Changing Asylum System
  6. Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Offshore Processing Proposal - Controversies and Feasibility Concerns

Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Labor Shortages - Assessing the Gaps Across Sectors


The US construction industry faces a significant labor shortage, with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law expected to create millions of new jobs over the next decade.

In the UK, Brexit has led to labor shortages in sectors that previously relied heavily on EU workers, as the post-Brexit migration system has caused structural changes in the labor market.

The US construction industry faces a significant labor shortage, with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law potentially creating 32 million new jobs in the nonresidential construction value chain over the next decade, according to a McKinsey estimate.

Brexit has intensified labor shortages in the UK, particularly in sectors that previously relied heavily on EU workers, such as healthcare, hospitality, and agriculture.

The post-Brexit migration system in the UK has led to a structural change in the labor market, resulting in uneven growth across different sectors due to variations in the availability of migrant workers.

Firms in the UK are responding to labor shortages by adopting various strategies, including raising wages, investing in new technologies, and adjusting their operations.

Over one-fifth of UK firms expect labor shortages to persist for more than two years, indicating the long-term nature of the challenges faced by the country's employers.

In August 2022, the percentage of UK businesses reporting worker shortages reached 8%, up from between 9% and 4% since October 2021, highlighting the growing scale of the issue.

The UK's post-Brexit immigration system, which treats EU and non-EU migrants more equally, has resulted in a significant reduction in net migration from the EU, leading to a reshuffling of the country's labor force.

Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Asylum Policy Overhaul - Examining the Nationality and Borders Bill


The Nationality and Borders Bill, passed in April 2022, introduced significant reforms to the UK asylum system in the wake of the country's exit from the EU's Common European Asylum System.

The legislation aimed to deter illegal border crossings and streamline the processing of asylum claims, while also establishing a new, non-EU asylum system with provisions for offshore processing.

The bill also included changes to nationality legislation, such as the creation of a points-based system for granting asylum status.

The Nationality and Borders Bill introduced longer maximum sentences of up to 4 years for unauthorized border crossings, reclassifying certain offenses as criminal acts.

The legislation established a new, non-EU asylum system with provisions for processing asylum claims outside the UK, a significant departure from the previous Common European Asylum System (CEAS).

The bill implemented a Points-Based System for granting asylum status, taking into account factors such as skills, qualifications, and income, marking a shift towards a more selective approach.

The reforms aimed to deter illegal entry and streamline the processing of asylum claims, largely in response to the UK's exit from the CEAS and the perceived challenges of the post-Brexit landscape.

The bill included changes in nationality legislation, introducing new requirements and criteria for obtaining British citizenship, further tightening the UK's immigration policies.

Criticism has emerged regarding the potential impact of these changes on vulnerable groups, with concerns raised about the treatment of asylum seekers and the accessibility of the asylum system.

The Nationality and Borders Bill has been viewed by some as a departure from the UK's traditional role as a welcoming refuge for those fleeing persecution, raising questions about the country's commitment to humanitarian values.

The implementation of the new asylum system has faced logistical challenges, with reports of delays and backlogs in processing asylum claims, leading to concerns about the efficiency and fairness of the system.

Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Refugee Rights and Protections - Upholding International Standards


The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol establish a framework for refugee protection, defining the term "refugee" and outlining their rights and international standards of treatment.

Refugees have human rights enshrined in treaties, rules of customary international law, and national laws, yet new security measures have raised concerns about potential infringements on refugee rights.

While states have the primary responsibility for upholding refugee rights, challenges can arise due to differing interpretations of treaty obligations and resource limitations, leading to discussions about potential reforms to strengthen international refugee protection.

The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are the foundation of UNHCR's work, defining the term "refugee" and outlining their rights under international law.

In 2017, there were a staggering 4 million refugees worldwide and 1 million asylum seekers, highlighting the immense scale of the global refugee crisis.

Refugee protection is a distinct legal regime, granting refugees a unique standard of protection under international law, including rights to asylum, freedom of movement, education, healthcare, housing, and work.

In 2021, the United States was criticized for failing to uphold its legal obligations under the Refugee Convention, endangering lives and undermining refugee law globally.

The non-refoulement principle, a cornerstone of the Refugee Convention, ensures that refugees cannot be returned to their countries of origin where they face persecution.

While states have the primary responsibility for upholding refugee rights, challenges can arise due to differing interpretations of treaty obligations and resource limitations.

Human rights law complements refugee law, emphasizing the inherent human rights of refugees and encouraging a more inclusive approach to refugee protection.

Discussions have emerged regarding potential reforms to strengthen international refugee protection in response to contemporary challenges and gaps in existing frameworks.

The implementation of the UK's new asylum system under the Nationality and Borders Bill has faced logistical challenges, with concerns raised about the efficiency and fairness of the system.

Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - House of Lords' Assessment - Insights into the Changing Asylum System


Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK’s Asylum System and Labor Shortages

The House of Lords has conducted an assessment of the changing asylum system in the UK, with a focus on the impact of Brexit and labor shortages.

The report forms part of the Asylum Information Database and provides a comprehensive analysis of the UK asylum system, including relevant statistics and policy developments.

The House of Lords Brexit refugee protection and asylum policy report discusses the potential implications of Brexit on the UK's asylum policy and cooperation with the EU, highlighting the need for the UK to maintain a sensitive approach to the plight of refugees and asylum seekers while also reforming the "broken" asylum system.

The House of Lords' assessment on the changing asylum system in the UK highlights the potential implications of Brexit on the country's asylum policy and cooperation with the EU.

The Nationality and Borders Bill, passed in 2022, introduced significant reforms to the UK asylum system, including longer sentences for unauthorized border crossings and the creation of a points-based system for granting asylum status.

The changes in the UK's asylum system have raised concerns about the potential impact on vulnerable groups and the accessibility of the asylum process, with some viewing it as a departure from the country's traditional role as a welcoming refuge.

The implementation of the new asylum system has faced logistical challenges, with reports of delays and backlogs in processing asylum claims, leading to concerns about the efficiency and fairness of the system.

The UK's post-Brexit migration system has resulted in a significant reduction in net migration from the EU, leading to labor shortages in sectors that previously relied heavily on EU workers, such as healthcare, hospitality, and agriculture.

Firms in the UK are responding to labor shortages by adopting various strategies, including raising wages, investing in new technologies, and adjusting their operations.

Over one-fifth of UK firms expect labor shortages to persist for more than two years, indicating the long-term nature of the challenges faced by the country's employers.

The Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol establish a framework for refugee protection, defining the term "refugee" and outlining their rights and international standards of treatment, yet challenges remain in upholding these standards.

Discussions have emerged regarding potential reforms to strengthen international refugee protection in response to contemporary challenges and gaps in existing frameworks, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address the complex issues surrounding asylum and migration.

Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Asylum System and Labor Shortages - Offshore Processing Proposal - Controversies and Feasibility Concerns


The UK's consideration of an offshore asylum processing system, similar to Australia's controversial model, has faced significant criticism from experts who argue that it is a failed and costly policy that undermines refugee protection.

Concerns have been raised about the safety, security, and human rights of asylum seekers under such an offshore processing regime, with warnings that the UK should avoid emulating Australia's approach, which has been plagued by issues and condemned by international observers.

Australia's offshore processing regime has cost the Australian government a staggering AUD 83 billion between 2014 and 2020, highlighting the immense financial burden of such a system.

The UK's consideration of offshore processing has been criticized by experts, who argue that it is a failed policy that continues to hemorrhage cash, destroy lives, and erode the international system for refugee protection.

Australia's offshore processing system has been condemned by human rights groups and has been the subject of international scrutiny and condemnation due to its poor treatment of asylum seekers, including reports of mistreatment and human rights abuses.

The controversy surrounding offshore processing has been highlighted in the context of the European refugee crisis, where the sharing of responsibility for processing asylum applications among EU member states has been a source of ongoing debate.

Experts warn against the dangers of implementing a similar offshore processing system in the UK, citing the failures of Australia's system and the need for a more humane and dignified approach to processing asylum seekers.

The Australian government started sending asylum seekers to offshore processing camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru in 2013, but the system has been deemed a failure, with many asylum seekers languishing in camps with poor living conditions and lacking access to proper medical care and justice.

The UK's consideration of an offshore asylum processing plan, similar to Australia's system, has raised concerns among experts about the potential for cruel and costly consequences, despite the government's aim to deter illegal border crossings and streamline the processing of asylum claims.

The Nationality and Borders Bill, passed in the UK in 2022, introduced significant reforms to the asylum system, including provisions for offshore processing, longer sentences for unauthorized border crossings, and a points-based system for granting asylum status.

The implementation of the UK's new asylum system under the Nationality and Borders Bill has faced logistical challenges, with reports of delays and backlogs in processing asylum claims, leading to concerns about the efficiency and fairness of the system.

The controversy surrounding offshore processing has highlighted the tension between the UK's efforts to reform its asylum system and the need to uphold international standards of refugee protection, as enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.

The House of Lords' assessment of the changing asylum system in the UK emphasizes the potential implications of Brexit on the country's asylum policy and cooperation with the EU, underscoring the need for a sensitive approach to the plight of refugees and asylum seekers while also addressing the challenges of the "broken" asylum system.

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.