Every 100,000 immigrants lost to the UK costs the Treasury £7bn, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. The figure, calculated in 2024, is both unsurprising and staggering, yet few people remark on the large numbers of migrants lost due to policy decisions.
Budget Day Realities
As budget day approaches, migration numbers have been falling faster than anticipated. Measures to discourage international students and skilled workers, while preventing legitimate employment opportunities for asylum seekers, result in a significant hit to national coffers.
The term "coffers" has slipped out of usage since Brexit, when the decision was made that money was not as important as taking back control of borders. The trade-off has meant sacrificing export industries to prevent the arrival of healthy people who might contribute to the economy.
Higher Objectives
Practicality is only jettisoned in the interests of particular higher objectives: securing borders, assuaging formless anger, and sending a message to the rest of the world. The establishment has become so emotional that rational economic arguments are missed.
Zoe Williams is a Guardian columnist.
