Brexit is about more than immigration | Letters
by Letters from Economics | The Guardian on (#44HA4)
John Whitley says anger over austerity should be directed against the UK government, and Danny Tanzey thinks simplistic explanations do not apply here
Dan Rainey letter (6 December) on immigration accurately reflects some of the perceptions about immigration. But perceptions are not evidence when they are not supported by facts. Most studies show that immigration has not reduced wage levels and has actually increased economic activity since immigrants are typically younger and pay more in taxes than they take out in benefits.
The lack of housing is not from extra demand from immigrants but rather a decade-long failure of housing policy to increase the number of homes available. More importantly, the reason why incomes of the average worker have stagnated is not immigration but the effects of austerity. Immigration is the wrong target.
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