The UK is falling behind other Western countries in attracting highly skilled foreign workers as new visa rules and Brexit repercussions challenge employers, reports The Evening Standard, citing research by Indeed. About a fifth of those using Indeed to look for work in the UK were from abroad, compared with more than a third in France and the Netherlands, Indeed found.

An analysis of 10 countries showed the UK had the second lowest percentage of “clicks” from foreign workers, with only Spain having fewer. Two in five overseas workers looking for jobs in the UK were for the lowest-paid vacancies. Indeed added that Brexit has added complexity to the UK’s immigration policies, with a new points-based visa system making it more challenging for employers to hire foreign workers, including EU citizens. Under the new rules anyone coming to the UK for work must meet a specific set of requirements for which they will score points. Visas are then issued to those who gain enough points.

Pawel Adrjan, of Indeed, said in the Evening Standard, “Countries stand to gain by enhancing their attractiveness to meet the changing needs of their labour markets and to remain competitive in a global context of increased mobility among highly skilled professionals.

“Indeed data shows that while there’s been a surge in foreign interest in UK roles, the country falls behind other Western nations in attracting highly skilled workers, which is at odds with the government’s current immigration policy.