Analysis of the latest immigration statistics by think-tank Migrationwatch (See Annex A in the full press release) has revealed what Labour were anxious to conceal during the election campaign, namely that their so called "tough" Points Based System (PBS) has actually led to an increase in immigration. For several months, the previous government declined to answer Parliamentary questions on the subject. They claimed that the PBS would admit only those that the British economy needed. However, analysis now reveals that economic migration in 2009 was up by about 20% compared to 2007, the year before the introduction of the PBS for non-EU workers. This took place despite the deepest recession for a generation having led to unemployment of 2.5 million. The number of students, also part of the PBS, increased by 30% in 2009 compared to 2008 before the system applied to students. Commenting, Sir Andrew Green, Chairman of Migrationwatch said: ‘This is Labour's guilty secret. When they talked about immigration at all before and during the election campaign, they claimed that they were getting it under control with their tough new system. The truth was quite different. They have left an immigration system in chaos and the coalition government with a huge mountain to climb in order to fulfil the Prime Minister’s election promise, re-affirmed on 20 May, that net immigration would be brought down from the present level of 160,000 to tens of thousands as in the 1980s and early 1990s.’ Published in The Guardian on 5 May, 2010 Yesterday you published a rather intemperate letter from several trades unionists which, inter alia, appeared to link Migrationwatch with the BNP. Your correspondents displayed precisely the attitude that has prevented a sensible debate on the issue of immigration for so long. I should like to make it absolutely clear that Migrationwatch has, and never has had, any connection whatever with the BNP. We are, however, quoted from time to time on their website – as we are in most national newspapers. As regards the substance of issue, we certainly acknowledge the significant contribution that immigrants have made to our society and we regard a sensible level of migration in both directions as a natural part of an open economy. Our problem is with the scale of net immigration. We are not alone. The only major study of the economic impact of immigration on the British economy was conducted by the cross-party economic affairs committee of the House of Lords. They reported unanimously in April 2008 that: "We have found no evidence for the argument, put by the government, business and many others that net immigration generates significant economic benefit for the existing UK population." We note also that the latest official projections show that the population of the UK will reach 70 million in 20 years' time and will increase further thereafter. This is not a forecast, but it is certainly a wake-up call. We make no apology for our effectiveness in bringing these matters to public attention. A government survey in February this year found that 77% of the population wanted immigration reduced and 50% wanted it reduced "by a lot". This seems to us, and many others, to be sensible direction for policy. We, in Migrationwatch, have long made it clear that failure by the main parties to address the immigration issue would leave the field wide open to the BNP. That is exactly what has happened.
Press Releases
Labour's "Tough" Points Based System Actually Increased Immigration
June 3, 2010Letter
Letter by Sir Andrew Green, Chairman, MigrationWatch UK
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Posts
