What the New UK–EU Trade Deal Could Mean for Hospitality
Youth mobility scheme
The UK and the EU have reached a new trade agreement aimed at easing post-Brexit challenges, which could bring important benefits to the hospitality industry. One of the key elements under discussion is a youth mobility scheme designed to allow young Europeans to live and work in the UK for up to two years. This scheme, similar to existing agreements with countries like Australia and New Zealand, could help address significant staffing shortages in hospitality, a sector that has struggled to replace thousands of EU workers who left in recent years. While full details are still being confirmed, the scheme is expected to be capped and time-limited, providing a valuable opportunity for young people to gain work experience in the UK hospitality sector.
Food and drink trade
On the trade side, the deal includes a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, which will ease the import and export of food and drink between the UK and the EU. This means businesses can once again sell products like raw burgers and sausages to the EU, which were previously restricted. Routine checks on many animal and plant products will be reduced or removed, helping goods flow more freely across borders, including between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. These changes aim to reduce the bureaucratic red tape that has caused delays and increased costs, which in turn could help lower food prices and expand the range of products available to hospitality businesses and consumers.
The agreement brings long-term stability by removing time limits on trade arrangements and offering businesses greater confidence in the reliability of their supply chains. For the hospitality sector, the most significant benefits lie in improved access to affordable food and drink, along with the potential to ease staffing pressures through enhanced mobility options for young European workers. These changes could help strengthen operational efficiency and support long-term growth across the industry by helping businesses build greater resilience and stability for the future.
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