Moving house is often described by those who have experienced it as the most stressful time during their lives. The upheaval of your life and the need to pack up all your belongings and sometimes, relocate to a completely different part of the country, is understandably, a fairly hefty challenge.

Despite this, it hasn’t stopped people moving home throughout their lives, either to upsize, downsize of relocate for a new job. That is, until now. A recent study that was based on census data over a 40 year period has revealed that both renters and homeowners are much more likely to stay put than they were during the 1970s.

So, what is driving this resistance to relocate?

The research seems to have revealed a pattern of social change and seems to further indicate a slowing down in social mobility.

A fall in upsizing and downsizing

Back in the 70s, it was much more common for people to progress in different directions on the property ladder. That is, either moving up it to bigger and better housing or in a downward direction by downsizing. During the 70s, 55% of people would move over the course of a decade, but by the 2000s this number fell significantly to 45%.

An aging population

There is also speculation that a fall in the number of people choosing to move house and relocate could be thanks to an aging population that continues to grow. Considering the fact that people now live, on average, for a decade longer than they did during the 70s, this conclusion would seem to make sense.

The lack of affordable housing

It’s no secret that the UK is currently being blighted by a severe lack of affordable housing, something that the Prime Minster is desperately trying to address. With house prices continuing to rise also, there is much less choice and availability for those with dreams of relocating, causing many people to choose to stay put.

Job insecurity 

There is certainly more than one factor contributing to a rise in job insecurity in the UK. The rise in automation, the uncertainty of Brexit and the pressure for businesses to remain productive in an ever-changing economic landscape are just the tip of the iceberg. Feeling insecure in job roles could be contributing to people staying in their homes and commuting longer distances instead of relocating for work. 

The impending doom of Brexit is still hanging over many SMEs heads, particularly with regards to expanding and trading globally and boosting profitability.

Recent figures released by accountancy firm Moore Stephens have revealed that only 6% of SMEs that were polled felt that the government is listening to and taking on their concerns about leaving the EU.

This statistics suggest that the Government have their work cut out for them when it comes to convincing SMEs that leaving the EU will be beneficial to them.

So, what are the benefits and drawbacks of leaving the EU for SMEs?

Benefits

The chance to expand into more vibrant marketplaces

Some think that Brexit will enable UK businesses to diversify into make dynamic markets operating outside of the EU. In China and India for example, growth rates are still strong and significant even despite recent slowdowns in trading.

More talented workforce

Brexit could help your business in terms of accessing a wider and more talented staff pool. At present, the freedom-of-movement obligations mean that there are limits on non-EU immigration. Liberating these obligations could mean that it would be easier for your SME to recruit high-calibre staff from non-EU countries.

A reduction in red tape

A lot of the EU regulations that are currently in place burden SMEs, particularly in terms of time consuming bureaucracy that can impede on innovation and growth. Leaving the EU may mean that the government is in a position to roll back some of these regulations.

Drawbacks

Slowing down of trade within the EU

Membership of the EU means that UK SMEs can export to Europe easily and the lack of import taxes also allows businesses to operate at the same level as companies across the Continent. Leaving the EU would negatively impact on both of these factors.

UK investment

There is speculation from those who are against Brexit that leaving the EU could damage the UK’s reputation as one of the world’s leading financial centres, which could in turn result in a decline in UK investment across the board.

The economy and jobs

Figures from 2000 have revealed that around three million UK jobs are linked to trade within the UK. Exiting from the EU may mean that SMEs will struggle in terms of a lack of EU residents moving to the UK in pursuit of work.