New ‘barista visas' aim to help hospitality hold on to EU staff

Home Secretary Amber Rudd is looking at introducing ‘barista visas' to help hospitality businesses hold on to EU staff post-Brexit, reports the Sun.

Young European citizens would be able to come to the UK and work in the hospitality industry for two years and would not be able to claim benefits or free housing.

The proposal has been suggested by Migration Watch UK chairman Lord Green and is based on the current Youth Mobility Scheme for travellers from Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Lord Green told the Sun: "We can kill two birds with one stone here. We can meet the needs of pubs and restaurants and maintain our links with young Europeans by allowing them to come for a strictly limited period of two years to work."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Leaving the European Union allows Britain to take control of our immigration system. We are working across government to identify and develop options to shape our future system to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people.

"It is logical to consult on proposals to make sure businesses, services and communities can contribute their views. However, as we are currently considering the various options as to how EU migration might work once we have left, it would be wrong to set out further positions at this stage."

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