READ MORE- The Irish are back in London
Immigration to Britain in “unlikely” to significantly fall next year due to the turbulent state of the Eurozone, a leading think-tank has warned.
Over 100,000 Irish people are expected to leave Ireland over the next 12 months and many of these are likely to travel to Britain considering the level of proximity and lack of a language barrier. The influx of Irish citizens will have an impact on Britain’s target to lower migration.
Proposals to impose a cap and gradually bring down migration levels will fail as there are few restrictions on workers coming from the EU.
The Institute for Public Policy Research has warned that net migration is unlikely to fall below 200,000 in the coming year.
This contradicts the Government’s pledge to restrict immigration from “hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands”.
Since the beginning of 2007 workers from the newest EU member countries such as Bulgaria and Romania have largely needed to apply for work permits in order to work in the UK. However that restriction is due to be lifted in December 2011, which means that thousands more could be tempted to emigrate.
Britain could see migration increase further if citizens from other economically challenged countries such as Spain, Portugal and Greece choose to relocate to Britain.
In contrast fewer Britains are currently moving abroad, as they weakness of the pound has made it difficult for many to leave.
With the influx of those coming from European countries, the Home Secretary Theresa May has imposed a cap on non-EU economic migrants. From April, no more than 21,700 will be permitted to work and love in Britain.
However Nick Pearse, the Director of the The Institute for Public Policy Research, said this would not have a great effect on the overall migration levels.
“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.”
“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,” he added.
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