Mon 26th Jul 2021 - British workers now make up more than half of sector’s workforce with EU staff at lowest level since at least 2016 British workers now make up more than half of sector’s workforce with EU staff at lowest level since at least 2016: British workers now make up more than half of the sector’s workforce with the proportion of EU staff at its lowest level since at least 2016, according to new data from software provider Fourth. Fourth said the data highlights an ongoing shift occurring within the sector’s labour market, accelerated by disruption caused by covid-19, concerns over job security and immigration policy. The data, aggregated from the analysis of more than 700 companies across the restaurant, pub, bar and quick-service restaurant (QSR) sectors, revealed EU workers made up 37% of the hospitality workforce in June 2021, compared with 43% in June 2019. British workers made up 51% of the workforce in June 2021, compared with 46% in June 2019. The proportion of workers from non-EU countries has remained relatively steady, increasing slightly from 11% in January 2020 to 12% in June 2021. The total sector headcount in July is still down 13% compared with July 2020, and down 23% compared with July 2019. The total headcount for the second quarter of 2021 was down 25% compared with the same period in 2020. According to Fourth’s data, 45% of payroll staff remain on full or flexi-furlough, the smallest proportion of workers since the scheme was introduced. British workers account for 32% of back-of-house roles and 55% of front-of-house roles, the highest proportion seen since Fourth started recording this data in 2016. Conversely, workers from EU nations recorded the lowest proportional figures on record in the month, accounting for 52% of back-of-house roles and 36% of front-of-house roles. Over the course of June, British workers accounted for almost two thirds (63%) of all new hires across the sector, again the highest figure on record, while EU nationals made up just a quarter (28%) of new hires – a significant reduction since January 2019 (50% of new starters). Workers from non-EU nations made up 10% of new hires, a figure that has remained relatively steady since 2019. The pub sector appears to be the most resilient, with its headcount down 7% this month compared with July 2020, followed by hotels (13% down), restaurants (14% down) and QSRs (15% down). The number of hours worked in June 2021 increased by 378% compared with June 2020, yet this was still down by 26% compared with June 2019. There were 54% more starters than leavers in June 2021, a figure that has been consistent since April this year.