John White, CEO of UK trade association bacta, has urged the Government to place the gaming industry on the shortage occupations list and remove some of the barriers to being employed in the UK. The calls come amid a labor crisis facing businesses in the amusements and low-stake gaming sectors.
White’s statements came seven years after Britain voted to withdraw from the European Union. In a letter, White said: “Brexit coupled with the impact of Covid has led to many of the European workers who were employed in hospitality returning to their country of birth and simply not returning to the UK.”
“Their perception is that the UK is no longer an attractive proposition for a variety of reasons not least the cost-of-living crisis, employment opportunities and the bureaucracy involved in gaining work visas.”
White noted that the fundamental change that bacta members require is for the government to place jobs in the sector on the shortage occupations list, adding that having “a more dynamic approach” to labor shortages is “paramount.”
Bacta’s CEO further added: “From a business perspective the free movement of people was a godsend: however, it was not what the population voted for in 2016 and it’s unlikely to return.”
“The big challenge for this and for future governments is to identify how to replicate the benefits of free movement and balance the outcome with the political imperative of demonstrating that the UK has control of its borders.”
Earlier this month, bacta shared results of research that show the introduction of a 50/50 ratio will reduce machine numbers and help the environment. A 50/50 machine ratio is one of the key proposals contained in the UK Government’s White Paper on Gambling Reform.
The govt. is proposing the relaxation of the 80/20 machine rule, which governs the balance of Category B and C/D machines in bingo and arcade venues, to 50/50 in an effort to bring an even split between low and medium maximum stake machines.