Migrants earn higher wages than UK-born workers, a government report has revealed.
The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Immigration found that the average foreign-born worker earned £424 per week in 2006, compared with £395 for the UK-born.
Migrants make a positive contribution to UK wealth, the Home Office report added, due in part to this higher productivity and associated tax payments.
It is estimated that in the year to April 2004, migrants contributed 10% of government revenue, and used up 9.1% of government expenditure.
The report also found that 574,000 migrants came to live in the UK on a long-term basis in the year to mid-2006, while only 385,000 people left the UK in the same period.
However, this increase of 189,000 people settled in the UK was down from an increase of 262,000 in the previous 12 months.
Points-based immigration system
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Despite the positive news on the benefits of migration, immigration minister Liam Byrne used the opportunity to speak about the tougher system he is bringing in from the New Year.
“In 12 months’ time, our immigration system will have changed out of all recognition,” he said. “From next year, a points-based system, modelled on the success of Australia, will ensure that only people Britain needs can come here to work and study.”
