MigrationWatch response to Home Secretary's statement in the House of Commons re 10 accession countries joining EU in May.

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February 23, 2004

We welcome the measures to tighten up the benefit system which are long overdue.

We do not believe the registrations scheme is enforceable any more than the work permit scheme has been. But the real weakness appears to be that the Government has no policy as to how many people we want on this overcrowded island.

Foreign immigration is already running at around 250,000 a year.
Today's announcement will simply add to this without any
counter- balancing reduction.