Immigration Solicitors

A new survey from Ipsos Mori on global attitudes towards migration has found that the UK is more positive than the US or Germany towards immigration – with three out of ten saying migration benefits Britain.

Online publisher CityAM.com reports that Britons are more positive about immigration than some other EU member states – but there are still concerns about the burden of immigration on the UK’s public services.

The researchers found, however, that debate over border controls and increasing immigration levels – especially in the run-up to the General Election – did little to “dampen” public opinion on immigration.

The figure of 3 in 10 Britons feeling that migrants benefit the UK represents an increase of 9% since 2011 – and is above the global average of 21%.

The poll reveals that Britons are more likely than others to believe that immigration ”benefits the economy” and “makes the country a more interesting place to live” – with two in five agreeing with these statements.

Managing director of Ipsos Mori, Bobby Duffy, said:

“These international studies are useful in reminding us that Britain is far from alone in having concerns about immigration.

“In fact, many other countries in Europe and around the world are more worried than us about immigration and its impact – with Turkey, Italy and France often among the most negative.

“Still, even Britons are not without concerns – the majority still feel negative toward migration and UK respondents were particularly concerned with the
burden immigration places on public services: 68 per cent worried about this, which Ipsos Mori suggests is a reflection of the focus of discussions in the media and politics.

“We’re second only to Turkey in our concern that immigrants put too much pressure on services.

“This is a much greater concern here than other impacts, such as on the ability of Britons to get jobs.”

In July, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation revealed that stricter immigration rules and “excessive” regulatory standards had left City of London firms with severe skills shortages.

Growth in the number of jobs secured dropped to a two-year low in June, the survey revealed. Researchers found that demand for professional workers in finance, law and IT was strong.

However, supply has contracted at its fastest rate in 2015 – with the Tier 2 visa controls cited as one reason City firms are finding it harder to recruit from overseas.

Finance chief of professional recruiter Robert Walters – Alan Bannatyne –
told CityAM.com:

“Between 2002 and 2007...we were able to bring in significant numbers from across the Commonwealth and the EU.

“Unfortunately, this is now very difficult – making the Tier 2 harder to get was a big step backwards,” Mr Bannatyne added.

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of immigration solicitors, able to advise migrants from the EU and non-EU countries on a wide range of immigration matters, including right to work in the UK and applying for work visas – as well as:

• Asylum in the UK and asylum appeals
• British citizenship
• Human Rights Act
• Illegal entry to the UK
• Marriage in the UK
• Modern Slavery Bill
• Right to work in the UK
• Spouse visas
• Student visas
• Visa overstays.

For expert legal advice on UK immigration law, call Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For urgent help with immigration matters, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036, where an accredited immigration lawyer is available 24/7.