UK Immigration not Linked to Hike in Unemployment

UK immigration hike has no link with the rise in unemployment in the country. This was found in a research conducted by the National Institute of Economics and Social Research (NIESR), a research organisation of Great Britain. These findings nullify the claims of the anti-immigration activist that the foreigners are becoming a burden on the British economy.

According to the institute’s report, which is based on a recently-conducted research project, the unemployment has been caused by sovereign debt crises and global economic recession. The researchers also claim that the overseas workers have pushed up the country’s economic growth rather than mitigating it. They also opine that the relation between migrant inflows and GDP growth is positive.

This report has come at the time when the British immigration authorities, on the direction of the Prime Minister David Cameron, are deliberating on a plan to cut down the number of migrations to a great extent during 2012.

In the anti-immigration campaign, Migration Watch is at the forefront. The activists of this organisation claim that the rising immigration, caused by the enlargement of European Union, has spurred unemployment in UK. But Migration Watch critics argue that the unemployment began before 2004.

Despite Cameron’s strict stand on preventing immigration, the ratio of foreigners coming to UK is not likely to decrease as the upcoming London Olympics will attract a large number of visitors. Moreover, the British businessmen are urging the government to lax its visa regime so that they can get skilled workers from other countries.

Since the very creation of commonwealth, the overseas professionals have been playing a key role in Britain’s economic growth. A major part of the English industrial sector relies on the workforce migrated from Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia.

This report by the National Institute of Economics and Social Research has fully neglected the doubt that there is a correlation between immigration and unemployment, and it is likely to motivate the government not to pursue a harsh visa policy which the administrators are seriously thinking of at the moment.

Tags: Britain Immigration, England, Immigration, Migration Watch, UK immigration, Unemployment