UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

212,000 skilled migrants to work in the UK this year

Wednesday, 26 March 2008

The number of skilled migrants coming to live and work in Britain will reach an all-time peak this year, experts predicted this week.

A report by the independent Centre for Economics and Business Research carried out for Harvey Nash (a recruitment company) found that the total for this year will be 212,000, the majority of migrants being from Eastern Europe.

It also said that by 2012 there will be a total of 812,000 skilled migrants living in the UK, an increase of 97,000 on today's level.

Skilled migrants account for 2.5% of the country's total workforce and directly contribute more than £36billion worth of economic output.

By 2012, this is set to increase to 2.8% and more than £49billion.

There is also a rise from one million to £1.5 million on the cards in the total number of jobs skilled migrants either hold or "support", through payment of taxes or using services which require staff.

The UK Government has been found to be the biggest employer of the skilled migrants, as well as the NHS and schools.

The incredible rise in new arrivals will include overseas workers who will be taking senior roles in IT, computing, teaching and the Health Service.

According to the report, after it peaked to 212,000, the number of incoming highly-skilled migrants will then begin to fall gradually to 2004 levels - the year eastern Europeans were given free access to the British job market through the EU - of around 175,000 arrivals a year by 2012.

Researchers have agreed that the 2004 accession member states are currently experiencing a period of rapid catch-up growth which is improving wage rates and living standards within these countries.

A spokesman for the Border and Immigration Agency said: “Our new points-based system for managing migration will ensure that those with the right skills to benefit Britain can come here to contribute.”

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