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Immigration 'will remain high despite the recession'
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor19 Mar 2009
BRITAIN'S recession will have little long-term impact on immigration levels and the number of arrivals will remain high, a report said today.
The study, commissioned by the Government's Equalities and Human Rights Commission, says social and family links to the UK, a desire to learn English and economic slowdown in home countries will deter immigrants from leaving. It also suggests the flow of migrants into the UK will pick up as the economy improves.
The report will add to the debate about the impact of the recession on migration amid ministerial claims that it will lead to a drop in the recent record numbers of arrivals to Britain.
But today's report, by the Migration Policy Institute, rejects this conclusion: "The overall impact of the recession on the size of the UK's immigrant population is likely to be small," it states.
The number of international students in London has soared by nearly 3,000 in a year. Study London, which represents the capital's universities, said its figures show London is the world's most popular destination to study.
Reader views (7)
As and economics student i can tell you all now that immigrants are not to blame for this recession. It is the Governments bad regulation that has led to the average joe thinking its the immigrants fault for the unemployment levels. Now another interesting fact is that Polish immigrants have decreased over the past year by 55% ! so are we still going to blame them?? Research your argument before making quick assumptions. If you really want to make a difference, research the conservative party and their policy on immigration, thats who you should be voting for 
- Natalie, Loch Lomond, Alexandria, Scotland, 07/01/2010 12:13
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Stop anyone not British coming into the country, its quite simply isn't it!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 07/01/2010 11:13
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The schemingly selfish and the blindly desperate all recognise the safe refuge offered by a soundly built lifeboat.
Trouble is, when Britain 'sinks' due to overcrowding, as surely it will without effective capacity limits, then, just like a dangerously overcrowded lift, everybody goes down!
And the vast majority of the enormous world poulation, and that is vast, aren't foolish, they're quickly begining to recognise that, because of the terrifying size of people numbers alone, a catastrophic food/water/rescources/climate dissaster is now expected to occur by mid-century, or before.
Worryingly, ZaNuLabour's dodgily 'remodelled' lifeboat has suddenly lurched to port, and is now begining to list badly!
- Dave, Cumbria, 07/01/2010 11:13
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Oh well, as Mr Brown said immigrants are good for the economy. He'd better keep his eyes on the ground before he really trips up and does himself some personal damge.
- Tony Islander, Herts, 07/01/2010 11:13
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The Equalities and Human Rights Commission wouldn't say anything negative about immigration in the UK would they? The fact is we're a very small country and we're full. We have limited land mass, limited natural resources and the priority should be the longer term for Britains not what's best for foreigners who decide to come here. Is it really too much to a expect a government to watch the back of their own citizens first or are we just a financial resource? It's time for a referendum on immigration, along with Europe!
- Jane, London, 07/01/2010 11:13
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This really is getting very frightening or am i the only one who feels this way? I know which party will be getting my vote at the next election, about time something was done about this before it's too late.
- Stephen, London, 07/01/2010 11:13
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This is ridiculous - don't let them in. What's difficult about that?
- Ann Davies, Redditch, 07/01/2010 11:13
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