TMP Online

Resident TMP columnist, Lola Adesioye, argues that we must move away from lumping all migrants into one big immigration pile - doing so is what makes it easier for politicians to manipulate the public for political point scoring. 

Once again immigration is back on the political menu. Unfortunately, the government shot itself in the foot this week. It is deeply embarrassing that senior government officials should publicly release incorrect information on any topic, but even more so on anything related to immigration which is currently such hot political property in the UK. No party – especially not the one in power – can afford to lose credibility, or show that it does not know what it is talking about when it comes to that issue.

Underestimating the number of foreign nationals working in the UK by 300,000 was an amateur move, particularly in a climate in which there are growing public concerns over immigration. However, let’s face it: the numbers themselves mean very little. 300,000 is a tiny proportion (approximately 1%) of the UK’s workforce. Plus all of these people have been working, and thus contributing, to the UK’s economy. Unfortunately, by undermining itself on a key issue the government fed right into the hands of newspapers such as the Daily Mail and the Sun who were keen to sensationalize the matter, and handed the Conservatives a fantastic opportunity to score political points.

Since giving a speech in response to the situation, David Cameron is now being hailed by parts of the media as some kind of patron saint of immigration. Much has been made of Trevor Phillips praising him for introducing a ‘turning point’ in the immigration debate. Admittedly, Cameron was sensible enough to avoid a hysterical, panic-driven response. He knows that does not work. However, to believe that his views on immigration are a ‘turning point’ is something of an exaggeration.

It is highly commendable that his views do not resemble those of Enoch Powell’s and that he has not discussed immigration in racial terms but when, despite the economic and social benefits of immigration there is still so much fear and panic about the topic, I would hesitate to believe that there is no racial significance in the debate, even if it has not been stated openly.

Looking closely, Cameron doesn’t propose or say anything groundbreaking. In addition to increased border controls, he wants to put a cap on the numbers of non-EU immigrants allowed to work in the UK which goes slightly further than the government’s own limit and point-based system which will be introduced in January 2008.

Maybe this quota will make the public feel better. As yet, Mr Cameron has been unable to tell us what the limit will be. However, what is the real benefit of a cap on economic migrants? Where is the evidence to show that capping numbers of economic migrants would be good for Britain economically or socially? Furthermore, is this a realistic and practical proposition? An article in this week’s FT written by, Danny Sriskandarajah, Director of Research Strategy at the Institute for Public Policy Research, suggests that capping is unworkable and damaging to the economy. I believe the introduction of a quota is a meaningless idea to quell public fears and gain political advantage.

It is a matter of concern that the government’s own figures and statistics are incomplete and unreliable. If there is ever to be genuine progress on this topic, it can only be done using robust information. We all know that statistics can be used to support any argument: within the immigration debate itself, we hear on one hand that it is economically damaging and puts “unsustainable pressure” on public bodies such as the NHS, yet we also hear that it boosts the economy and is good for the country. However, for as long as the official statistics are in a mess, there is no room for objective debate, and more room for conjecture and hysteria. With both parties keen to score political points, currently the public is in the dark as to the true challenges and benefits of immigration.

What we need to know is what kind of migrants are coming to the UK. When the government uses the term ‘immigrant’ what does it mean? We need to know what the economic contribution of migrants is to this country and how much it costs for the UK to support them. There must be thorough and far reaching stats collected by the government so we are able to have a true understanding of the issues.

We must also move away from lumping all migrants into one big immigration pile. Doing so is what makes it easier for politicians to manipulate the public for political point scoring. There are different types of immigrants, some who are able to contribute more to British society than others. Foreign nationals include students, doctors, teachers, bankers. They are not simply uneducated people who wish to suck the life out of Britain. Should we not be welcoming even more of those who are able to work and pay taxes? Is 300,000 extra tax paying, income earning migrants really such a big deal?

Lola Adesioye uses the power of the positive word, whether written, spoken or sung, as well as a variety of media, to be an agent for social change, uplifting and inspiring the black community. 

Last month the Home Office published a cross-government report on the fiscal and economic impacts of immigration.  The report has been submitted to the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs, and it will be discussed by the Migration Impacts Forum.  To read the report, click here.