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| John Harris makes some good points about the double standards of government politicians in celebrating the success of the multicultural Olympics whilst introducing draconian measures against immigrants (London – the most diverse, tolerant, open city. Really?, 22 July). Indeed, the Office for Budget Responsibility claims that Britain will need to welcome hundreds of thousands more migrant workers over the coming years to prevent total economic collapse (Report, 18 July). This is in recognition of the fact that the migrants tend to be of working age and, far from being a drain on resources, contribute disproportionately to the economy through taxes and spending, while being less likely to claim benefits. In the face of this evidence it would be nice to see all the major parties welcome migrants and recognise their contribution to society. Alas, I suspect Cameron, Miliband et al will continue to talk ambiguously about "recognising voters' legitimate concerns about immigration". Tim Matthews Luton, Bedfordshire | John Harris makes some good points about the double standards of government politicians in celebrating the success of the multicultural Olympics whilst introducing draconian measures against immigrants (London – the most diverse, tolerant, open city. Really?, 22 July). Indeed, the Office for Budget Responsibility claims that Britain will need to welcome hundreds of thousands more migrant workers over the coming years to prevent total economic collapse (Report, 18 July). This is in recognition of the fact that the migrants tend to be of working age and, far from being a drain on resources, contribute disproportionately to the economy through taxes and spending, while being less likely to claim benefits. In the face of this evidence it would be nice to see all the major parties welcome migrants and recognise their contribution to society. Alas, I suspect Cameron, Miliband et al will continue to talk ambiguously about "recognising voters' legitimate concerns about immigration". Tim Matthews Luton, Bedfordshire |
| • The Office of Budget Responsibility's report saying that Britain needs to have a sustained immigration rate of 150,000 a year is effectively a call for us to run the country as a giant Ponzi scheme. It argues that immigrants tend to be of working age and therefore contribute more in taxes. But they too grow old, retire and develop illnesses. It is difficult to imagine a proposal less compatible with the words "budget responsibility". How much more logical it would be to find work for the large pool of unemployed, of all ages, that we already have. Chris Padley Lincoln | • The Office of Budget Responsibility's report saying that Britain needs to have a sustained immigration rate of 150,000 a year is effectively a call for us to run the country as a giant Ponzi scheme. It argues that immigrants tend to be of working age and therefore contribute more in taxes. But they too grow old, retire and develop illnesses. It is difficult to imagine a proposal less compatible with the words "budget responsibility". How much more logical it would be to find work for the large pool of unemployed, of all ages, that we already have. Chris Padley Lincoln |
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