Migrants contribute £25 billion to UK public funds

In a speech to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of JF Kennedy, David Miliband gave an impassioned lecture at the British Museum last night entitled, “America, Britain & Europe: Lessons from JFK”.

In essence, his speech was focused on what he saw as Kennedy’s core belief that America’s strength and independence, depended upon the seemingly paradox of global interdependency. In today’s politics he argued we are struggling with similar themes particularly around commerce and immigration. A reasoned debate, he claimed would conclude that financially controlled immigration is good for a nation, however, the political debate, in this country and in many parts of Europe vociferously argues the opposite.

And today’s extensive research findings from the University College London seem to back Miliband’s assertion, arguing that new arrivals –in the last 12 years- have made a net contribution of £25bn to public finances.

In fact the study shows clearly that migrants pay more taxes and take out less benefits than the average Briton. The report also indicated that other immigrants also paid in more than they received.

One of the authors, Professor Christian Dustmann said:

Our research shows that in contrast with most other European countries, the UK attracts highly educated and skilled immigrants from within the EEA as well as from outside. What’s more, immigrants who arrived since 2000 have made a very sizeable net fiscal contribution and therefore helped to reduce the fiscal burden on UK-born workers.

Our study also suggests that over the last decade or so the UK has benefitted fiscally from immigrants from EEA countries, who have put in considerably more in taxes and contributions than they received in benefits and transfers.

Given this evidence, claims about 'benefit tourism' by EEA immigrants seem to be disconnected from reality."

In the weeks and months ahead of the EU elections, immigration and the cost-benefit analysis will loom large in the political debate. Sadly for the most part it will be about scare mongering and demonising the other. But the fight back is underway.

Those at the forefront of this argument such as Movement Against Xenophobia, (MAX) will know that the xenophobes will constantly move the debate: First it will be about the ‘drain on public services’. When that’s disproved, it will be about spurious crime stories such as the false reporting that East Europeans had been killing and roasting s swans: “CALLOUS asylum seekers are barbecuing the Queen's swans, The Sun can reveal.”

Whilst there are challenges including changing demographics, it is important to have this debate based upon facts, and not the vitriolic bile that comes from certain media outlets and some politicians.

The fact is whilst in this country there is a media onslaught that seeks to turn people away from our shores, Europe’s powerhouse, Germany have clearly recognized that their nations need migrants and is vociferously trying to attract the best, and hardworking to their shores.

Simon Woolley