Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit on immigration policy

The UK Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit has published government proposals for a ten-year plan on crime, security and justice, including proposals on immigration. These discuss current immigration to the UK. The document states that in general the impact of immigration on the UK economy is positive and quotes estimates that migrants account for 10 to 15% of the projected growth in GDP. It states that the UK public generally accept that there are positive economic effects as a result of migration but are concerned about pressure on jobs for the low-skilled and perceive migration to have a negative impact on public services. The plan explains that in reality migrants on average contribute more to the UK economy and use fewer services than people born in the UK. In particular it notes that migrants from countries that have recently joined the European Union tend to be young, have few dependants and ‘reasonably well-educated’ and identifies these as positive economic characteristics. It says that over one-third of UK doctors are trained abroad and that migration from new EU member states has filled jobs in teaching, dentistry and care work. Proposals in the document focus in particular on the use of biometric identity documents and a desire to collect more information on European Union nationals migrating to the UK. The document also proposes to strengthen citizenship ties, and to take measures to promote the integration of migrants.