Fears over increase in shortage of nurses following Brexit vote

Britain's shortage of nurses and midwives could increase by 20,000 by 2020 if trends following last year's Brexit referendum continue, the government has been warned.

The Open Britain campaign group for close ties with the EU said fewer than 300 EU nurses a year would come to work in the UK if the drop in applications since last June's referendum continues.

This compares to more than 7,000 a year in the period before the referendum, the campaigners said, citing Nursing and Midwifery Council and Health Foundation figures.

Shortfall increase

If that sort of drop continues, the shortfall in nurses and midwives could increase by 20,337 by 2020, Open Britain said.

The figures follow leaked Home Office proposals to clamp down on ‘low-skilled’ immigration after