The Story
Does the government’s plan to cut immigration add up?
Dec 7, 2023
David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times, discusses the UK government's plan to cut immigration and its implications on the economy, including the increase in net migration, the impact on the job market, and the contributions of migration to the economy.
24:36
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Quick takeaways
- The UK government's plan to reduce immigration may not effectively address labor shortages and could have short-term economic consequences.
- Restricting migration could lead to difficulties in filling job vacancies, exacerbating the issue of economic inactivity and hindering long-term economic growth.
Deep dives
Record-breaking Net Migration In the UK
The latest immigration figures for the UK revealed a record-breaking net migration of nearly 750,000 people in 2022, surpassing the previous high of 300,000. The data shows a significant shift in migration patterns, with net emigration of EU citizens post-Brexit and a large influx of non-EU citizens, particularly from India and Nigeria. The UK government aims to curb migration by implementing stricter rules, including raising the salary threshold for work visas and limiting dependence for workers and students. However, critics argue that these measures may not address the labor shortages and could have short-term economic implications.
