I haven’t posted on the Lords report on The Economic Impact of Immigration because I haven’t actually read it yet (radical eh? Do I know nothing about blogging?). Others have obviously digested all 84 pages and joined the battle along depressingly predictable lines.
If I have anything worthwhile to add I will but I was moved to post having just read Philippe Legrain’s hatchet job. As I understand it the report is specifically addressing the significant increases in net immigration in recent years and the economic impact of that – it’s not a general discussion on immigration and GDP. If I’m right then this seems to have escaped Legrain’s attention since he offers a generalised defence of immigration, something the Lords wouldn’t necessarily disagree with. One sentence particularly irritated me though:
For a more nuanced response (in my view) see Danny F in today’s Times.
If I have anything worthwhile to add I will but I was moved to post having just read Philippe Legrain’s hatchet job. As I understand it the report is specifically addressing the significant increases in net immigration in recent years and the economic impact of that – it’s not a general discussion on immigration and GDP. If I’m right then this seems to have escaped Legrain’s attention since he offers a generalised defence of immigration, something the Lords wouldn’t necessarily disagree with. One sentence particularly irritated me though:
“Ultimately, migration is about creating an open, dynamic and progressive society, rather than a closed, stagnant and reactionary one.”I couldn’t agree more. Which is why when well meaning and intelligent people express reservations about the immigration they deserve a hearing and a detailed and balanced rebuttal. I’m not sure Legrain’s piece meets that bar.
For a more nuanced response (in my view) see Danny F in today’s Times.
1 Comments:
GDP rises and GDP per head of capita falls or something like that. A little from column A and a little from column B, then.
Five Live had a debate about it and where the cancelling out or benefit and drawback seems to stop is in anomalies where a Scottish painter decorator can charge £13 an hour, while his London counterpart is almost pricing himself out of the market at £6.
The problem I think with the debate is that there are two polar arguments and both are right. The only swaying factor I can find is that you can buy kabanos at the Morrison's in Alloa.
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