Blogs
We publish blogs that draw on data and research, and through them we inform debate, spark discussion, and explore the wider implications of current developments.
Analysis, Commentary and Research Updates
Explore our latest publications on immigration and asylum policies. Stay informed with well-researched insights.
Economics Of Migration
A letter from Sir Andrew GreenThe Tablet, London Your leader article (“What migrants do for us”, 6 January) described as “tendentious” Migrationwatch analysis which suggested that the economic benefit of migration is marginal. Some government ministers still…
Learn More“strangers Into Citizens”?
IntroductionThe Roman Catholic Church and others are supporting a “strangers into citizens”campaign. This note summarises the case against it. The ProposalThe proposal is that “undocumentedmigrants” who have been living (illegally) in Britain for four yearsshould be…
Learn More“Strangers into citizens”? | Migration Watch UK
IntroductionThe Roman Catholic Church and others are supporting a “strangers into citizens” campaign. This note summaries the case against it. The ProposalThe proposal is that “undocumented migrants” who have been living (illegally) in Britain for…
Learn MoreStudent ‘Scams’ provide yet another back door into Britain | Migration Watch UK
Further evidence that current procedures are failing to prevent major scams within the immigration system is revealed in a new report out today from think-tank Migrationwatch. Research by the group into Home Office statistics reveals…
Learn MoreResponse to 2001 Census figures… | Migration Watch UK
The following comment was issued to the media on February 13, 2003 in respect of the results of the 2001 Census. ‘These figures illustrate just how quickly and profoundly the character of some parts of…
Learn MoreRestore The First Chance Rule
The ‘First Chance’ rule – also known as the ‘Resident Labour Market Test’ – is an immigration safeguard that means UK workers have the first opportunity to apply for job openings before such vacancies are…
Learn MoreMigration Watch UK Comment on Points-Based System | Migration Watch UK
A Points-Based System would be hopeless for the UK Commenting, Lord Green of Deddington, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: The issue is confidence in the government’s intention to reduce immigration from the EU. This is what the public voted on, not on a particular system. In fact the Prime
Update On The Fiscal Impact Of Immigration
1. Professors Dustmann and Frattini from the Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration at University College, London have commented (see here) on our paper on the Fiscal Impact of Immigration to the UK published earlier this year (see here). 2. This blog picks up on their key points 3.
Social Market Foundation Report Based On Highly Questionable Assumptions
A new reportfrom the Social Market Foundation suggests that an economic slowdown following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union will lead to a slowing of migration – perhaps to the tens of thousands – without requiring the imposition of any actual controls on migration. Any such conclusion is thoroughly

At current levels of immigration to England a new home will be needed every five minutes over the next 25 years | Migration Watch UK
The DCLG has today released its 2014-based Household Projections for England for the period 2014-2039. Commenting, Lord Green of Deddington, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: Yet again government officials are playing down the impact of immigration on household demand. Today’s DCLG publication focuses only on the principal projection of
Uk Population Rises By More Than 500,000 In A Year To Reach 65.1 Million
The ONS has today released the Annual Population Estimates for mid-2015. The UK population is now 65.1 million, an increase of 513,000 on the previous year. See the full ONS data here. The increase in the population was down to two factors, natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration. Of
Are Migrants An Economic Benefit To The Uk?
1. Overall, migrants in the UK have been, and continue to be, a net fiscal cost to the UK Exchequer. Only recent migrants from the EU14 have made a net positive fiscal contribution. Immigration has not been shown to have any significant impact, either positive or negative, on GDP per