By Richard Johnstone | 30 January 2014
Economic migrants from outside the European Union should have to pay a £2,000 advance on National Insurance contributions when they enter the UK, a think-tank has recommended.
The liberal think-tank CentreForum said today the upfront payment would help restore confidence in the immigration system and could be used to bolster public services. The group also called for the period before which EU migrants can claim benefits to be extended from the current level of three months to a year.
The Migration: a liberal challenge report is published as the Immigration Bill returns to the House of Commons today. Its provisions include a new requirement for temporary migrants with a time-limited immigration status to make a contribution to the National Health Service. The legislation faces a rebellion by Conservative MPs who want to use the Bill to limit the ability of foreign criminals to use European human rights law to avoid deportation.
Report author Alasdair Murray said the national insurance advance was devised in response to public concern that immigrants were accessing public services and benefits without having first contributed.
Under the proposal, £2,000 would be payable upon entry, and refunded once the individual had made sufficient tax contributions or has left the country without claiming welfare.
This bond – together with lengthening the time it takes EU migrants to become eligible for benefits – would provide a clear contributory link and demonstrate migrants are coming to the UK to work, not claim, Murray said.
‘Politicians are engaged in an arms race around immigration policy which appears to have more to do with looking tough than genuinely addressing people’s concerns with practical policy,’ he added.
‘It is possible to restore confidence in the immigration system by making it more transparent, ending the perception that migrants can access the benefits system without first contributing and developing a target that reflects the real social and economic needs of the country.’
This is the second of three reports CentreForum is producing to devise a ‘liberal’ agenda for immigration. The first, published last month, examined the business case for immigration reform, and the final report, looking at illegal immigration and asylum, is expected in June 2014.
