Slump in Britain’s Immigration Likely Due to Economic Recession

Britain’s current economic downturn is most likely to cause the drop in the number of immigrants arriving at United Kingdom during this year.

The leading progressive Britain’s think-tank, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) estimated that the slowdown in the economic activities will compel the government to cut down the number of immigrants from 252,000 to 180,000 by this year.

However, the IPPR’s report claimed that if UK government decreases the number of skilled migrants, it would not make any effect to revive the country’s economy.

The IPPR asserted that the ‘forced cap’ of 21,700 on non EU-skilled immigrants will eventually lead the country to face the skilled staff shortage.

”It is slightly odd to see a government making a virtue of their flagship policy not actually having had any effect. The more serious conclusion is that the experience of the cap so far should not be seen as a vindication of the policy,” the report suggested.

Meanwhile, The IPPR criticized the government’s policies to stop illegal immigration. The report accused that government manipulates with the number of deported immigrants every year. On the other hand it has failed to stop illegal immigration.

”Beyond this, the government’s new policies amount to little more than a somewhat gimmicky, and arguably rather unpleasant, ‘shop-an-illegal’ helpline,” IPPR slammed the British government.

Furthermore, the IPPR’s report also recognized that some of government immigration policies have been creating bad impact over the country’s economy, as the way the government has reduced the number of study visas can hurt the economy.

According to the government’s new immigration policy students are not allowed to work or gain some work experience after completing their study, which will take the country to lose foreign talented students.
Regardless of IPPR’s criticism over government’s immigration policies, the Britain Immigration Minister, Damian Green revealed that the government policies are working right on the track to clamp down net migration to ‘tens of thousands’.

“The latest quarterly figures show that Student Visas issued are down 13% and the main Work Visas issued are down 18% compared to last year – an early sign that our policies are starting to take effect.” Immigration Minister said.

Tags: Britain, Britain Immigration, England, Immigration, Institute for Public Policy Research