EU migrant workers contribute far more than average Brit to the UK economy, research finds

“High-skilled workers bring clear benefits to the UK economy and should be actively encouraged”

Migrant workers travelling to the UK from the European Union contribute much more in taxes than British-born residents, a new study has revealed. Workers from the EU contribute £2,300 more than the average Brit each year, the government review has found, in fact they pay in £78,000 more than they take out in public services and benefits over their lifetime. It is claimed that the overall impact of EU citizens to the economy is roughly the equivalent of adding 5p on top of the income tax rates of British-born residents. “When it comes to the public finances, European migrants contribute substantially more than they cost, easing the tax burden on other taxpayers,” said Ian Mulheirn, the lead researcher. The study was carried out by the Migration Advisory Committee on behalf of the Home Office and also recommended that the government end giving preferential treatment for EU nationals in immigration policy. Instead the research suggested that high-skilled workers should be given visa preferences over unskilled labourers, wherever in the world they intend to migrate from. MAC chair Alan Manning said: “The MAC’s core recommendation is for the UK to be more open to skilled workers from around the world and to limit access to low-skilled workers. “High-skilled workers bring clear benefits to the UK economy and should be actively encouraged.” The research comes after a poll earlier this month suggested that over two and a half million people have changed their mind and no longer want to leave the European Union. If true this would mean that in the event of a People's Vote being held, the country would opt to stay inside the EU by a margin of around 300,000 votes