Immigration nation

A Lords’ committee today claims that record levels of immigration have had no economic benefit for the UK. But what about that £6 billion figure the Government likes to wheel out? According to the committee report (pdf. here), it’s misleading. What should really concern us is how immigration affects the living standards of the existing population. By that measure, there’s been hardly any improvement.  Things may even have got worse. In response, the report suggests a cap on immigrant numbers. Just like Tory policy.

The Immigration Minister Liam Bryne swatted the accusations and proposals away on the Today programme this morning. But this report is the third in recent weeks to lambast the Government’s overall approach to immigration (see also here and here). Perhaps it’s time for a rethink.