UK Immigration On High Levels But Higher Requirement Expected

01 Jan 2011

As per information from the Institute of Public Policy Research, immigration to UK will not fall much below current levels in 2011. This includes migration from European countries not covered by the Government’s proposed immigration cap along with a downward trend in emigration.

Overall, it is expected that net migration will be around the 200,000 level in 2011.

Looking into the interests of UK economy, the IPPR also warned against introducing "hasty measures" to fulfil promises to cut net migration to the tens of thousands by 2015, as they would damage the UK's economy.

Nick Pearce, IPPR director, said: "Ministers must be careful to manage down public expectations. The cap on skilled migration from outside the EU, which the Government has already put in place, could hurt the economic recovery. Other hasty measures to reduce numbers artificially would be even more damaging.”

He added: "Bringing down the level of immigration, which has been high in recent years, is a legitimate policy goal. But this should be done by making long-term and sustainable reforms to the structure of our economy and labour market."

As per the review, it is expected that the number of people coming to work in UK could increase once UK economy recovers. The cap on non-EU immigrants is expected to cut only 2% or 3% of immigration.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "We will exert steady downward pressure on immigration numbers through the course of this Parliament, which is the sensible way to deal with the uncontrolled immigration system we inherited."