Some people are fond of telling us that the problems of Britain are down to the many immigrants that arrive here, for example The Daily Fascist (aka The Daily Mail and The Daily Express).
Recently 'Migration Watch' blamed youth unemployment on migrants. And the Migration Advisory Committee, the governments own advisers, have today claimed that for every 100 non-EU immigrants 23 jobs are lost to UK residents. But can such views be justified?
Increasing the labour force by migration raises the capacity of the economy (the PPF/Long Run AS curve shifts right). Skilled migration will also improve productivity. Of course if the migrants are not of working age these advantages are not gained.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) have simultaneously declared that there is no harm to jobs from immigration. Personally I am with them on this issue. The need to expand the supply side of the economy is most important and good immigrants provide a skilled workforce far faster than the education and training system.
Politically this one will not go away while unemployment remains high.
