An optimum level for immigration | Migration Watch UK

The Home Secretary has recently suggested that an optimum level for immigration might be established. A Migrationwatch research paper (Read) suggests some criteria. Immigration is of long term benefit to the economy only if it raises the overall level of productivity; otherwise, it simply adds to the pressure on infrastructure and public services. Migrationwatch therefore […]

Selection criteria for immigrant workers

Summary1. The government has toned down its claims that migration brings significant economic benefits to the UK. It now claims only that migrants cause a small but positive increase to gross domestic product per capita. 2. However, if dependent children are taken into account, this small positive increase becomes a small decrease. In other words, […]

Potential immigration from Romania and Bulgaria

Summary1. Romania and Bulgaria are due to join the EU on 1 January 2007. 2. Labour market transitional arrangements will be virtually the same as for the first round of East European candidate countries. 3. Their combined population is nearly 30 million and their unemployment rates are 8% (Romania) and 10% (Bulgaria). Bulgaria has 700,000 […]

£2.5bn Immigrant contribution claim is yet another ‘dodgy dossier’ | Migration Watch UK

Repeated Government claims that immigrants contribute £2.5bn more to the British economy in taxes than they receive in benefits and state services have been exposed as entirely false. Instead of a surplus of £2.5bn the true figure is actually a deficit of £200m for the year the Government chose, says a report from Migrationwatch out today. (Read report) […]

Home Affairs Select Committee (HAC) Report on Immigration Control | Migration Watch UK

On the 24 July, 2006 HAC issued a detailed report on immigration control. The press notice which summarises the report’s findings is available at here. This was followed by the Home Secretary’s proposals for reforming the systems and processes for managing immigration to the UK. A summary of the proposed changes and the implementation timescale is […]