EU inf lux had ‘no clear benefit’

THE influx of low-skilled migrants from the EU has brought ‘no clear benefit’ to Britain, the Government’s immigration tsar said last night.

Professor Alan Manning, chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee, argued it had cost taxpayers’ money as overall they cost more in benefits and public services than they paid in taxes.

Appearing before MPs, he said low-skilled migration since 2004, when Labour threw open the doors to Eastern Europeans, ‘hasn’t really had positive effects and has had negative effects’.

Prof Manning added: ‘Our view is for that lower- skilled migration, there is no clear benefit for UK residents.’ He also rejected claims from big business that cuts to migrants would damage the economy.

Last month, a major report from the MAC called for more high-skilled migration and less low-skilled after free movement ends. Home Secretary Sajid Javid has endorsed its central proposal.

But Labour MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee criticised Prof Manning, saying this was too restrictive and would damage the economy. He hit back, suggesting that firms had a vested interest in preserving cheap supplies of labour.

Under the new immigration system starting in 2021, European migrants will have to apply for work visas in the same way as those from the rest of the world.

Committee chairman Yvette Cooper warned that this could create ‘friction’ and make it harder for migrants to gain entry.

AN EU chief last night accused Italy of fiscal incompetence in a row over its lavish spending plans. Commission vice-president Jyrki Katainen warned Rome not to have ‘unrealistic targets’ in its budget next week.