Brexit could lead to skills shortage in law and other professions as overseas graduates lose interest in Britain, LinkedIn study indicates

A serious decline in the number of overseas professionals looking for work in the United Kingdom could spell a talent shortage in the UK legal profession, a LinkedIn study of data from over three million people has indicated. 

The study showed a 12% fall in the number of graduates from EU countries looking for vacancies in law, accountancy and other City jobs in the United Kingdom. As The Times reports, there was also an 8% drop in interest in London jobs generally among overseas graduates. The study has prompted some business groups to warn once again that Brexit could create a skills gap in the UK workforce.

Josh Graff, vice-president of LinkedIn, said: “This should be a warning to British businesses that face not only a critical skills gap, but also what I would call an interest gap. Domestic and international talent is starting to look outside the United Kingdom for job opportunities.”

Gerwyn Davies, labour market adviser at the CIPD, the professional body for human resources, said: “These figures are not a surprise, given that the fall in sterling, the prospect of changes to UK immigration policy and stronger growth in other European countries are reducing the attractiveness of living and working in the United Kingdom.”