Immigration scares: we've been here before

Politicians have avoided an honest debate on immigration for years for fear of appearing racist. Now the numbers are too big to ignore. We round up the arguments for and against immigration control.

For years politicians have avoided an honest debate on immigration for fear of appearing racist, said Jenni Russell in The Guardian. Now the numbers are too big to ignore. On Monday, the Government revised the number of foreign nationals taking jobs in the UK since 1997 from 800,000 to 1.1 million. The next day the Home Office raised its estimate to 1.5 million and acknowledged that those workers had taken more than half the jobs created since 1997. Office of National Statistics data predict that Britain's population will exceed 70 million within 25 years.

David Cameron pointed out that immigration had accounted for roughly two-thirds of population growth in the past seven years, arguing that Britain's public services could not cope. He called for a policy to cut net immigration and promised that a Tory government would set up a Border Police Force to find and remove illegal immigrants. Public opinion is on his side polls suggest that 41% of the public is concerned about the issue, from just 3% a decade ago.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up
MoneyWeek

MoneyWeek is written by a team of experienced and award-winning journalists, plus expert columnists. As well as daily digital news and features, MoneyWeek also publishes a weekly magazine, covering investing and personal finance. From share tips, pensions, gold to practical investment tips - we provide a round-up to help you make money and keep it.