Having 'taken back control' of the UK border after Brexit, the government has ended the free movement of people and introduced a new points-based immigration system. But now, the UK labour market is under pressure, with a combination of Covid-19, Brexit, and other structural forces causing widespread shortages of workers. To what extent has the new immigration regime contributed to these labour problems? Is the UK worse affected than other countries? Will there be longer-term benefits from the new immigration regime? Has Brexit made the UK more or less able to address labour market issues?

Estimated net migration of EU citizens to the UK, per year, 2012 to 2020 Decline in EU net migration, Financial years ending 6 April 2016 to 2020 Brexit referendum 250,000 200,000 EU-14 EU-2 -4216 -4096 150,000 Net migration All EU -586 All EU 100,000 EU-2 50,000 EU-14 EU-B 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 EU-8 -126% Years ending 6 April