Migrant workers do not drive down wages or steal Britons’ jobs, finds advisory committee

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The migration advisory committee report is a major antidote to dog-whistle politics, bringing much-needed facts about the impact of immigration into the national conversation.

The 140-page report, commissioned by the former home secretary Amber Rudd, will put paid to the notion that European Economic Area (EEA) migrants drive wages down, lead to an increase in crime, bleed the social welfare system dry and steal the jobs of Britons.

Brexit should end EU citizens' special access to UK, says report Read more

But it recommends no preferential treatment for EU citizens after Brexit and retaining a salary threshold of £30,000 for migrants – which will alarm those in manufacturing, logistics and social care, where there is a high reliance on EU workers.

The main findings are:

Future policy

European citizens should not be given preferential treatment post-Brexit.

Remove the cap on tier-2 visas for general skilled workers.

Retain the salary threshold of £30,000.

Favour higher-skilled workers over lower-skilled workers post-Brexit.

No special scheme for low-skilled workers, with the exception of agricultural workers.

Overall impact of migration from European Economic Area

The overall impact is “small in magnitude when set against other changes”.

“Migrants have no or little impact” on the employment or unemployment outcomes of the UK-born workforce.

The fall of the pound after the referendum has had a larger impact on wages and employment opportunities.

Migration does not force down wages to any great extent. There is some evidence that it does in lower-skilled areas, but the impact is small.

There is little or no impact on employment, wages or training.

House prices

Migration has increased house prices, mostly in areas with a squeeze on supply owing to restrictive planning where councils find it harder to increase stock in line with demand.

Benefits

Migrants pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits.

Provision of public services

Insufficient attention is being paid to the flow of public money to areas with increased demand for education and medical services.

Social care

EU migrants are critical in care homes and social care, and there are concerns that the UK will struggle to find people to work in the sector, where demand is rising inexorably. There is an underlying problem of poor terms and conditions.

Education

There is no evidence that parents’ choice is reduced by the migrant population.

Children with English as a second language perform better than native English speakers.

Crime

Migration has no impact on crime and there is no evidence to suggest migrants are linked to increases in crime in England and Wales.

Low-skilled workers

There is no need for special schemes outside farming.

Low-skilled workers can come to the UK through updated youth schemes.

Northern Ireland