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Brain Drain: Why are so many people leaving Britain?

  1. Vincylicious
  2. related topics
A report out yesterday suggests Britain may be experiencing a brain drain.

“According to the Office for National Statistics the number of emigrants from the UK rose to a record 400,000 in 2006, the highest number since records began in 1991” with half of those being British citizens.

The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) said a total of “5.5 million British passport holders live abroad permanently, and another 500,000 live abroad part of the time through second homes.”

So why are so many people leaving the UK?

The IPPR said that almost two-thirds of those who emigrated last year, did so for “work-related reasons”

Understandable. My friend is returning to St. Vincent next week because the job market here has not been very kind to her. And she’s British and a university graduate. When my studies are complete, I’ll probably be doing that myself, having had a similar experience.

According to the report, the most popular destinations for emigrants included France, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia and the US.
Vincylicious

1 response // Brain Drain: Why are so many people leaving Britain?

  • I think it's a sign of the times. More people immigrating increases competition for jobs... More outsourcing of production and manufacturing to cheaper labour overseas... It's just surprising that so many are leaving, compared to the size of the country. Check out this pod about the closure of the Burberry Factory, and the effects it's had on the people and the community.
    abbym0308

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