UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

Million new jobs go to migrants

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Foreign workers have taken almost all the new jobs created in the UK in the past 7 years. The research into the UK labour market since 2001, published by the think-tank Migrationwatch, shows that 1.08 million out of the 1.34 million new jobs created since 2001 have gone to non-UK citizens.

Of the growth in non-UK nationals in jobs, some 469,000 were from the so-called A8 Eastern European countries, including Poland and Slovakia, who joined the EU in 2004 and were granted full access to the British labour market.

Although 253,000 of the vacancies were taken up by UK nationals, the vast majority were naturalised citizens rather than native-born.

However as the recession deepens, Britain could be facing a brain drain of overseas talent, with one in three foreign workers considering using the Christmas break to leave the country for good, according to a survey released today.

The report, by recruitment website eFinancialCareers, reveals that one in three foreign workers in the City do not expect to be here next year, with 35 per cent of those considering moving to another financial centre, such as Dubai or Shanghai.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, blamed the statistics on the government's taxation policy which introduces a new 45 per cent rate for those earning above £150,000 unveiled in the pre-Budget report last month.

John Benson, chief executive and founder of eFinancialCareers, warned "Employers in the UK's financial centres should take note. Overseas workers represent a highly skilled talent pool."

However, despite fears of a brain drain of foreign talent, the survey revealed a measure of confidence in the 2009 outlook.

Of the 550 financial professionals interviewed for the survey, 70 per cent said they expect to be in the same job this time next year.

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