Immigrants are NOT the problem

Attributing Britain's problems solely to immigrants is a simplification that ignores more complex issues like economic policies and global trends. While high immigration can put pressure on public services, research consistently shows that immigrants, on the whole, are significant contributors to the UK economy and society.

Economic Contributions

Immigrants are vital to the UK's economy. Studies show they often pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits and public services. They fill essential jobs, particularly in sectors with labor shortages like healthcare, technology, and hospitality. For example, a significant portion of the National Health Service (NHS) workforce is made up of foreign-born staff. Immigrants also start businesses at a higher rate than native-born people, creating jobs and driving innovation. 

Public Services and Housing

The argument that immigrants strain public services and housing is common, but the reality is nuanced. While an increase in population naturally raises demand for services like healthcare and schooling, immigrants are also part of the solution by working in these very sectors. Issues with long waiting times or a lack of housing are often due to a shortage of funding, insufficient infrastructure investment, and slow housing development, not just population growth. For instance, the UK's housing shortage has been a long-standing issue for decades.

Crime and Social Cohesion

The claim that immigration leads to a rise in crime is not supported by the evidence. Studies on the relationship between immigration and crime in the UK have found no significant link, and in some cases, certain immigrant groups have been associated with a decrease in crime rates. The feeling of social fragmentation that some people experience is often linked to factors like inequality and the loss of community spaces due to government austerity and rising property prices, not the presence of diverse communities.

Broader Context

The problems facing Britain—like austerity, wage stagnation, and a strained NHS—are the result of a multitude of factors, many of which are global or internal to the UK's political and economic systems. Blaming immigrants for these issues distracts from addressing the root causes and implementing effective solutions.

Taxing the billionaires will raise the funds we need to fix our country.