Press release: Record EU immigration level is something to celebrate

Commenting on today's immigration figures, Sam Bowman, Deputy Director at the Adam Smith Institute said: "Today's immigration figures - the highest on record for immigrants from the EU - are good news for Britons. The vast majority of these immigrants are here for work or study, and the bulk of the evidence suggests that EU immigrants pay more in taxes than they cost the state in spending. That means less borrowing and lower taxes.

"Immigrants generally do not create unemployment or drive down overall native wages. They bring new skills to the economy and there is some evidence that they create opportunities for low-skilled natives to move into more highly-skilled work, boosting their wages. The fact that these immigrants are voting with their feet to come to the UK is a big vote of confidence in the British economy.

"There is no economic case for limiting freedom of movement within the EU, and the government is wrong to try to cut the number of skilled and student visas for immigrants from outside the EU. Instead of cutting Britain off from the world the government should focus on making the UK a welcoming destination for the best talents the world has to offer."

The Adam Smith Institute is a free market, libertarian think tank based in London. It advocates classically liberal public policies to create a richer, freer world.