CBI: Migrants make UK PLC stronger

The immigration debate has caused a great stir over the past few months, and has recently intensified with business bosses criticising the Government and others for the anti-immigrant rhetoric they feel will have a negative impact on the prosperity of the UK.

This has come just after Nigel Farage announced to the press that it did not matter if cutting migrants lead to low economic growth. CBI chief John Cridland responded to this statement by arguing that cutting migrants will lead to severe consequences for the UK economy, especially with the economy facing a skills shortage.

He told the financial times:

the business community would struggle to source the skills that they need without the benefits of the open European market and the visa system, which also allows business to bring in a small number of skilled immigrants from elsewhere in the world,”

Whilst Farage argues that the social side of immigration is far more important than the economic side, chief economist James Sproule at the Institute of Directors argues that it’s shocking that politicians are focusing on the

crude number of migrants entering the UK, rather than understanding the benefits and costs involved”.

Cridland also argued that social impact should not be put against growth, and that the government should look towards promoting a sensible, managed immigration policy that doesn’t dent growth, but recognises the social costs of immigration.

Cameron dismissed the claims made by CBI and other business groups, arguing that we cannot deny that this European Debate isn’t happening, but the CBI have argued that is in our national interest to reform the EU, but reforms need to be made that will benefit the entire EU not just Britain itself.

It is clear to say, with the backing of Britain’s business groups that immigration has bought a net boost to the economy, as it has been a solution to the skills shortage Britain is facing. With immigration being so beneficial to the UK economy, why is it that David Cameron is trying to reduce immigration to such low numbers. Isn’t he the leader of the party who pledges for long-term economic growth?

The country needs to see the benefits of immigration, how it has helped boost the economy, and helped us recover from a recession. Research by University College London has showed that European Immigrants to the UK pay more in taxes then they receive in benefits, pumping in £4.4 billion into the UK economy between 1995 to 2011.

With a rising aging population, the importance of money coming in and stimulating the economy is vital, and the contributions made by the migrants should not go unrecognised. Politicians need to see how vital immigration is to our growing economy, and whilst the EU debate cannot be brushed away, it important to consider the implications and consequences on the British economy.

Roshni Vekereya