Brexit end of free movement causing labour shortage ‘shock’ but not wage growth, government advisers warn

Vacancies in sectors most reliant on EU workers not translating into higher wages

Agriculture is one of the sectors worst hit by the shortages (AFP via Getty Images)

Ending EU free movement has caused a “shock” to Britain’s labour market and left pay growth weak, the government’s migration advisers have said.

In its annual report, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) said the government had “no coherent, overarching strategy” for dealing with labour shortages hitting the economy.

The report by the government committee found wage growth in sectors most reliant on EU labour before Brexit actually lagged behind the growth in wages across the rest of the economy.