France is the UK’s fourth largest trading partner in Europe, fifth in the world in the four quarters to the end of 2021, accounting for 5.1% of total UK trade.

It’s the second largest services import market, fifth biggest export market for goods in 2021, and major global source of imported goods and services.

It is also fourth on the register of British Interests and its geographical proximity and juxtaposed border makes it a particularly important partner.  

Total UK imports from France amounted to £33.7 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2021.

(Source: Department for International Trade)

In 2020, the outward stock of FDI from the UK in France was £85.5 billion accounting for 5.2% of the total UK outward FDI stock. The inward stock of FDI in the UK from France was £69.1 billion accounting for 3.6% of the total UK inward FDI stock.

Investment by French companies in the UK is significant (fourth in the world only after US, India and Germany) and mirrored by similar levels of UK investment in France – creating opportunity and employing hundreds of thousands of our taxpayers. Industries including aerospace and automotive have developed and operate sophisticated, integrated cross-Channel supply chains. Partnerships and collaborations between British and French companies are routine and delivering commercial success in Europe and beyond. Yet there is significant scope to deepen what is already a successful economic partnership.

(Source: Department for International Trade)

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) - an independent public body sponsored by the Home Office that advises the government on migration issues - published their 2021 annual report, which includes information on the UK labour market and the new
immigration system.

The MAC resources, including their 2021 review of the Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) route for intra-corporate mobility of key personnel, are accessible here.

The Mac also produced a guide to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The SOL is a feature of the existing Tier 2 work migration route. It lists occupations where employers face a shortage of suitable labour and where it is sensible to fill those shortages with migrant workers.

Immigration statistics, including all data related to Immigration, is quarterly released by the Home Office here. Further governmental data on UK Visas and Immigration are available here.

Governmental information on Tier 5 (temporary work visa for people who want to come to the UK for a short time) and GAE (Government Authorised Exchange) schemes can be found here. Guidance for sponsors is available here and guidance for applicants here.

The majority of UK international students coming from EU countries are from Italy, a total of 14,605 students currently in the UK. Second on the list is France, with a total of 14,090 students currently studying in the UK.

After Belgium, the UK is the second most popular destination for French students studying aboard.

(Source: HESA)