UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

Immigration workers vital to the UKs economic recovery

Monday, 15 December 2008

A new influx of immigration is necessary to spur Britain out of recession, according to a report published today by a think-tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), with close links to Downing Street.

The report to be delivered to ministers claims migrants are an 'essential part of the UK's economic recovery', playing a vital role in employment sectors such as the construction and hospitality industry. Some planned construction projects such as the 2012 Olympics will require an additional 40,000 workers per year until 2012, above and beyond those already in the sector.

The report calls for the UK to introduce more flexible immigration policies which allow it to attract and retain the migrants who help to keep certain economic sectors like construction afloat.

"It is more important than ever that the government does not use the recession as an excuse to restrict the numbers of migrant workers coming to the UK," said Lisa Harker, co-director of the IPPR.

"Our research shows that, even in recession, migrant workers are essential in delivering the key construction projects that will help boost local economies." She added: "Just as migrant workers helped to boost the UK economy on its way up, they are even more essential in a recession, helping to keep afloat industries like construction and hospitality which rely on a flexible workforce happy to do contractual work and able to travel for work."

The report also argues that although migration is widely accepted and welcomed as an integral part of the construction industry, the Government needs to ensure that sufficient regulations are in place to protect both migrant and domestic workers from exploitive employers who hire illegal workers. This would help to reduce the demand for illegal labour, improve minimum standards and prevent low wages.

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