UK Net Guide
Researchers have said reforming migration
policies and opening legal channels for migration will "benefit Europe
and address the problem of a shrinking and aging population".
In
a report launched at the London School of Economics (LSE) this
afternoon, researchers will highlight their findings which reveal the
massive inflow of migrants into the EU since 2004 led "neither to the
displacement of local workers nor to increased unemployment".
The
report, Overcoming Barriers: Human mobility and development, support
the idea that migrant labour does not have a large effect on the
employment or wages of locals.
"Migration remains a
contentious policy issue in need of reform and reconsideration across
the European Union," says lead author Jeni Klugman.
"We hope
our report will help influence the debate and show the overall positive
benefits of migration, especially with migration being a major priority
of the current Swedish EU presidency."
The report's main message
is that "migration can significantly enhance human development among
all concerned – the migrant families, source and destination
communities – is particularly important as countries around the world
grapple with the consequences of the global economic downturn".
The
researchers said barriers to migration are very unequally distributed,
but it can do much to raise a person's income, health and education.
Most
importantly, they say, is that being able to decide where to live is a
key element of human freedom, and large gains to human development can
be achieved by lowering barriers and other constraints to movement and
by improving policies towards those who move.
Tim Finch, head
of migration at Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), co-hosts of
the event at LSE today, said: "This report adds to the evidence that
migration can really change the lives of migrants from poor countries,
as well as the families and communities they leave behind.
"Migration also benefits receiving countries – although there are impacts that have to be taken into account.
"The
challenge for the government of a rich country like the UK is to find
ways to develop managed migration systems and citizenship policies,
which command the confidence of the public, maximise the benefits for
the UK , but also which help the citizens of developing countries –
both those who migrate and those who don't.
"This government has
taken a good first step by considering the development impacts of its
Points Based system and its citizenship proposals."
The
researchers add that contrary to commonly held beliefs, migrants
typically boost economic output and give more than they take.
Detailed
investigations show that immigration generally increases employment
rates in host communities, does not crowd out locals from the job
market and improves rates of investment in new businesses and
initiatives. 
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