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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/22/jobs-travel-study-how-brexit-would-affect-young-britons-eu-referendum
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| From jobs to travel and study: how would Brexit affect young Britons? From jobs to travel and study: how would Brexit affect young Britons? | |
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| For decades, young Britons have enjoyed the freedom of Europe, able to work, study and travel freely on the continent, and enjoy healthcare and other privileges while they do so. | For decades, young Britons have enjoyed the freedom of Europe, able to work, study and travel freely on the continent, and enjoy healthcare and other privileges while they do so. |
| But how would all that change if Britain voted to leave the European Union on Thursday? | But how would all that change if Britain voted to leave the European Union on Thursday? |
| Will young people still be able to get jobs in Europe? | Will young people still be able to get jobs in Europe? |
| Britain’s membership of the EU means that citizens are able to live and work anywhere within the 28 countries of the EU. | Britain’s membership of the EU means that citizens are able to live and work anywhere within the 28 countries of the EU. |
| “If you want to work in Germany or France, you are able to work on the same terms as citizens there,” said Megan Dunn, the outgoing NUS president. “This means you don’t need special visas. If we were to leave, it’s unlikely we would be able to work on the same terms. It’s possible you would need some kind of visa to work abroad and this would impact on your ability to acquire a job.” | “If you want to work in Germany or France, you are able to work on the same terms as citizens there,” said Megan Dunn, the outgoing NUS president. “This means you don’t need special visas. If we were to leave, it’s unlikely we would be able to work on the same terms. It’s possible you would need some kind of visa to work abroad and this would impact on your ability to acquire a job.” |
| Sorana Vieru, a vice president of the NUS, thinks that leaving the EU would limit the job opportunities of young people in the UK. | Sorana Vieru, a vice president of the NUS, thinks that leaving the EU would limit the job opportunities of young people in the UK. |
| “Freedom of movement across the EU currently means young people have a wider pool of graduate jobs to choose from, as more and more organisations work across Europe or specific targeted industries graduates find attractive are booming in other EU countries,” she said. “Restricting freedom of movement means finding a job abroad becomes much harder for young people.” | “Freedom of movement across the EU currently means young people have a wider pool of graduate jobs to choose from, as more and more organisations work across Europe or specific targeted industries graduates find attractive are booming in other EU countries,” she said. “Restricting freedom of movement means finding a job abroad becomes much harder for young people.” |
| How will it affect young people wanting to study at universities in Europe? | How will it affect young people wanting to study at universities in Europe? |
| Figures from the OECD last year showed that undergraduates in England pay the highest tuition fees in the world, on £6,000 a year. Some young Britons have responded by choosing to study at significantly cheaper European universities, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany. More than 15,000 British students also study in Europe as part of the Erasmus scheme, although some countries outside the EU take part in the scheme, including Norway and Turkey. | Figures from the OECD last year showed that undergraduates in England pay the highest tuition fees in the world, on £6,000 a year. Some young Britons have responded by choosing to study at significantly cheaper European universities, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany. More than 15,000 British students also study in Europe as part of the Erasmus scheme, although some countries outside the EU take part in the scheme, including Norway and Turkey. |
| Vieru said that although students could still study outside the EU, “it may be harder to get visas and fees may be more expensive”. She added: “I think we can safely assume that if we’re not part of the EU, we’ll be paying international student rates in Europe if those institutions charge them.” | Vieru said that although students could still study outside the EU, “it may be harder to get visas and fees may be more expensive”. She added: “I think we can safely assume that if we’re not part of the EU, we’ll be paying international student rates in Europe if those institutions charge them.” |
| In the UK, young people might also find that Brexit changes their student experience. There are more than 20,000 EU students at UK institutions and this number is likely to dwindle. | In the UK, young people might also find that Brexit changes their student experience. There are more than 20,000 EU students at UK institutions and this number is likely to dwindle. |
| Would Brexit make it easier for young people to find jobs in the UK? | Would Brexit make it easier for young people to find jobs in the UK? |
| Much would depend on the economic impact and whether a move to leave the EU would, as many international financial organisations have warned, trigger an economic reversal in the UK. | Much would depend on the economic impact and whether a move to leave the EU would, as many international financial organisations have warned, trigger an economic reversal in the UK. |
| If Brexit does prompt a recession, it is young people who are most likely to suffer. Research shows that graduates who enter the jobs market during a recession earn less than those who do so in a buoyant economy, and that the differential persists for years. | If Brexit does prompt a recession, it is young people who are most likely to suffer. Research shows that graduates who enter the jobs market during a recession earn less than those who do so in a buoyant economy, and that the differential persists for years. |
| Researchers at the Centre for European Reform (CER) note that if unemployment were to rise, it would be the under 30s who would be most vulnerable. | Researchers at the Centre for European Reform (CER) note that if unemployment were to rise, it would be the under 30s who would be most vulnerable. |
| “Economists know a good deal about the impact of recessions on different social groups,” said Christian Odendahl and John Springford in the CER report. “They have also studied how recessions impact the future earnings of these groups after the economy returns to normal. And the verdict is clear: it is the young and the low-skilled who suffer the most.” | “Economists know a good deal about the impact of recessions on different social groups,” said Christian Odendahl and John Springford in the CER report. “They have also studied how recessions impact the future earnings of these groups after the economy returns to normal. And the verdict is clear: it is the young and the low-skilled who suffer the most.” |
| A study by PathMotion surveying HR managers and senior executives of 75 top UK graduate employers released last week revealed that 49% of employers said they were likely to lower their intake of graduates if Britain left the EU. | A study by PathMotion surveying HR managers and senior executives of 75 top UK graduate employers released last week revealed that 49% of employers said they were likely to lower their intake of graduates if Britain left the EU. |
| However, if UK companies were unable to freely hire EU graduates as a result of Brexit, 25% of employers said they would be likely to increase recruitment of British graduates. | However, if UK companies were unable to freely hire EU graduates as a result of Brexit, 25% of employers said they would be likely to increase recruitment of British graduates. |
| Wouldn’t the drop in immigration make it easier for young people to find work? | Wouldn’t the drop in immigration make it easier for young people to find work? |
| This argument might make sense on a local level, in parts of the country where, for example, the rising number of tradesmen may have depressed wages or made it harder for apprentices to get a start. | This argument might make sense on a local level, in parts of the country where, for example, the rising number of tradesmen may have depressed wages or made it harder for apprentices to get a start. |
| But on a national level, a drop in immigration would not necessarily help young people looking for work because of the impact on the economy. Remain campaigners repeatedly make the point that immigrants put in more to the economy in terms of taxes than they take out. | But on a national level, a drop in immigration would not necessarily help young people looking for work because of the impact on the economy. Remain campaigners repeatedly make the point that immigrants put in more to the economy in terms of taxes than they take out. |
| “Immigration into the UK is positive, it boosts the economy and it makes our society richer and more diverse,” said Vieru. “Also, not all migrants come into the UK to do graduate-level jobs, they fill roles right across the jobs market. Leaving the EU is likely to have an impact on businesses wanting to set up and develop in the UK, and that is what will have an impact on the graduate jobs market, not immigration.” | “Immigration into the UK is positive, it boosts the economy and it makes our society richer and more diverse,” said Vieru. “Also, not all migrants come into the UK to do graduate-level jobs, they fill roles right across the jobs market. Leaving the EU is likely to have an impact on businesses wanting to set up and develop in the UK, and that is what will have an impact on the graduate jobs market, not immigration.” |
| How will Brexit affect young people’s ability to travel in Europe? | How will Brexit affect young people’s ability to travel in Europe? |
| Many young people choose to take gap years in Europe or travel regularly on the continent. The threat Brexit poses to visa-free travel is a concern for some. Jason Naylor, 19, from Wigan, said: “I personally don’t really want to live or work in Europe but travelling for holidays is extremely important for most people and it would be great to always have the option to live or work there too. I think that Brexit would leave our ability to travel, live or work in Europe in the balance.” | Many young people choose to take gap years in Europe or travel regularly on the continent. The threat Brexit poses to visa-free travel is a concern for some. Jason Naylor, 19, from Wigan, said: “I personally don’t really want to live or work in Europe but travelling for holidays is extremely important for most people and it would be great to always have the option to live or work there too. I think that Brexit would leave our ability to travel, live or work in Europe in the balance.” |
| Dunn, a board member of Britain Stronger in Europe, said: “Our membership of the European Union makes it easier for young people to travel in Europe. Visas in EU countries are not required, and travel is cheaper because of the EU. Airfares are lower because of the single market and roaming charges have recently been reduced because of it, and will be axed altogether next year. Visa applications could be costly and lengthy, and travellers might lose the ability to use the European Health Insurance Card, leaving them with higher insurance costs.” | Dunn, a board member of Britain Stronger in Europe, said: “Our membership of the European Union makes it easier for young people to travel in Europe. Visas in EU countries are not required, and travel is cheaper because of the EU. Airfares are lower because of the single market and roaming charges have recently been reduced because of it, and will be axed altogether next year. Visa applications could be costly and lengthy, and travellers might lose the ability to use the European Health Insurance Card, leaving them with higher insurance costs.” |
| Would leaving the EU make it easier for young people to get on the housing ladder? | Would leaving the EU make it easier for young people to get on the housing ladder? |
| Chris Grayling, leader of the House of Commons, told supporters last month that leaving the EU would mean young people in the UK could get on the housing ladder more easily, due to the limits on immigration that could be introduced. He said that rising house prices were partly caused by increased migration, and that young people should consider the “practical consequences” of a vote to remain in the EU. | Chris Grayling, leader of the House of Commons, told supporters last month that leaving the EU would mean young people in the UK could get on the housing ladder more easily, due to the limits on immigration that could be introduced. He said that rising house prices were partly caused by increased migration, and that young people should consider the “practical consequences” of a vote to remain in the EU. |
| But remain campaigners counter that credit conditions could tighten, making it harder to get a mortgage. Housebuilders would likely slow investment while uncertainty persisted. | But remain campaigners counter that credit conditions could tighten, making it harder to get a mortgage. Housebuilders would likely slow investment while uncertainty persisted. |
| Darren Mason, 21, from Lancaster, is worried about the uncertainty in the housing market after the referendum, although he admits it could make housing more affordable. “It may lower prices as per supply and demand, but it’s too difficult to know for sure in regards to the whole debate,” he said. | Darren Mason, 21, from Lancaster, is worried about the uncertainty in the housing market after the referendum, although he admits it could make housing more affordable. “It may lower prices as per supply and demand, but it’s too difficult to know for sure in regards to the whole debate,” he said. |
| What would be the economic impact of Brexit on young people? | What would be the economic impact of Brexit on young people? |
| The prospect of Brexit has already hurt the pound, and if sterling were to fall dramatically in the days and weeks ahead, it would have an inevitable impact on inflation, making the cost of living dearer. George Osborne’s threat of an emergency budget would take further steam out of the economy. | The prospect of Brexit has already hurt the pound, and if sterling were to fall dramatically in the days and weeks ahead, it would have an inevitable impact on inflation, making the cost of living dearer. George Osborne’s threat of an emergency budget would take further steam out of the economy. |
| The effect of Brexit on the economy is the key reason for many young people supporting remain. When asked what was the most important factor influencing her vote in the referendum, Amelia Heathman, 23, from Liverpool, said: “The strength of the economy. I think that the news this week has shown that the sterling is stronger in the EU.” | The effect of Brexit on the economy is the key reason for many young people supporting remain. When asked what was the most important factor influencing her vote in the referendum, Amelia Heathman, 23, from Liverpool, said: “The strength of the economy. I think that the news this week has shown that the sterling is stronger in the EU.” |
| She added: “I’ve read a lot about how much EU funding has had a positive impact on markets, businesses and industries and I’m concerned about the effect Brexit will have on this, on potentially shrinking industries, meaning there will be less jobs for young people.” | She added: “I’ve read a lot about how much EU funding has had a positive impact on markets, businesses and industries and I’m concerned about the effect Brexit will have on this, on potentially shrinking industries, meaning there will be less jobs for young people.” |