EU Migration. Examining the evidence and policy choices

Author (Person)
Publisher
Publication Date September 2017
Content Type

Further information

The author's analysis revealed that the majority of EU nationals who come to the UK arrive with a job offer; that most work in jobs that the UK economy needs - indeed certain sectors, such as hotels, restaurants and manufacturing, are heavily dependent on such migration; that EU migration has resulted in some downward pressure on wages, but that the proportion of EU migrants in genuinely low skilled jobs is lower than often assumed; and that whilst the public are anxious about the pace of change, they are more positive about the impact of migration, and more pragmatic about the trade-offs involved in negotiating free movement reform, than often assumed.

The report assesses the most plausible policy options facing the UK in seeking to negotiate free movement reform. It recommended that the government seek to negotiate a strengthened ‘emergency brake’ to implement temporary controls on free movement in particular sectors during periods of high EU inflows. This would enable the UK to exercise greater control over immigration, whilst leaving open the option of the UK remaining within the EU, or failing that, as members of the Single Market. Precedents for provisions of this nature can be found in at least four previous EU agreements.

The authors also argue that reforming free movement is not enough: dealing with anxiety about immigration must involve a wider set of changes, covering labour market reform, social integration, enforcement against illegal migration and the strengthening of democratic accountability. Finally, should Brexit happen, the least damaging outcome for Britain would be to establish a preferential work permit system, whereby free movement continues for certain categories of people, for instance, highly skilled professionals and students, but is restricted for others, for example, low skilled workers.
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and author of this report published in September 2017 said it was widely accepted that the June 2016 Referendum vote was at least partly driven by public anxiety about immigration. That anxiety was real and must be dealt with. But delivering a ‘hard Brexit’ was not the sole, or even the best way to do so. The paper examined the evidence around EU migration and took an objective look at the policy options facing the UK in seeking to negotiate reform of free movement with the EU27.

Source Link http://institute.global/sites/default/files/field_article_attached_file/IGC_EU%20Migration_10.09.17.pdf
Related Links
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: News, 09.09.17: EU Migration: Examining the evidence and policy choices http://institute.global/news/eu-migration-examining-evidence-and-policy-choices
The Guardian, 05.09.17: Leaked document reveals UK Brexit plan to deter EU immigrants (et al) http://www.europeansources.info/record/leaked-document-reveals-uk-brexit-plan-to-deter-eu-immigrants/
BBC News, 10.09.17: Tony Blair defends call for EU migration curbs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41216679
The Guardian, 09.09.17: EU immigration offer could lead to Brexit reversal, claims Adonis https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/09/eu-immigration-offer-brexit-reversal-adonis
The Guardian, 10.09.17: Tony Blair says UK could restrict immigration without Brexit https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/10/tony-blair-get-tough-on-immigration-to-stop-brexit
Conservative Home, 10.09.17: Fallon – 'Leaving the EU means freedom of movement has to end' https://www.conservativehome.com/video/2017/09/watch-fallon-leaving-the-eu-means-freedom-of-movement-has-to-end.html
Politico, 10.09.17: Tony Blair: UK can reform immigration and stay in EU http://www.politico.eu/article/tony-blair-uk-can-reform-immigration-and-stay-in-eu/
ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

Subject Categories ,
Countries / Regions ,