The UK's planned withdrawal from the European Union following the 2016 referendum vote to leave is underway, and is expected to come into effect around April 2019. The withdrawal obviously creates challenges for businesses who rely on international staff, as the EU simply makes it easier for workers to find employment across borders.
Amongst these businesses are those that make up the games industry in the UK, the sixth largest games market worldwide, and according to a new study by Ukie, the withdrawal might have such a devastating effect on the employment of the necessary international talent at UK game companies that as many as 40% of them are considering relocating elsewhere.
The primary cause for concern is the skill shortage that may follow once the withdrawal is complete, making it too hard for EU workers, a workforce which makes up one third of all employees in the sector, to gain entry and a working permit. 57% of all UK based game companies employ EU workers, and 98% of those surveyed thought that EU workers who possess the necessary skills should be given the right to work in the UK in the future.
Whether something like that will be implemented before the withdrawal is complete remains to be seen.