Migrant workers have not ‘harmed’ UK job prospects

New research has shown that migrant workers have not added to unemployment or prevented UK workers from finding jobs.

Entitled ‘The impact of migration from the new European Union Member States on native workers’, the study was carried out by the Department for Work and Pensions.

It concluded that new migrants have not affected the numbers claiming unemployment benefits in the UK and have not had a significant impact on wage settlements.

Stephen Timms, the Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, said: “Migrants from Eastern Europe have come to the UK to work and have been a benefit to our economy, allowing companies to grow and create more jobs. As this research shows these migrants have not taken jobs away from British workers and have not impacted on wages.”

The research found that the numbers of people claiming unemployment benefits are at levels as low as 30 years ago, while the number of vacancies in the economy continue to rise, the Minister added.

However, Mr Timms did point to the lack of skills among the UK workforce, especially younger people.

He said: “What we need to do now is ensure we continue helping those young people with low skills to get the training and support they need to make the most of the opportunities which exist.”

Commenting on the research, David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Government is right to point out that a lack of motivation and skills are the major reasons why so many British born people are currently out of work.

“Migrant workers have served both businesses and the economy extremely well in recent years, and it is only through reform of the benefits system and continued improvement of our education system that the Government will be able to eradicate the welfare dependency culture which now exists in this country.”