Migrants 'vital to East economy'

Migrants are vital to the region says East of England Development Agency

Skilled migrant workers are vital to the economy in the eastern region, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has said.

The comments come after a House of Lords committee found immigration levels had "little or no impact" on the economic fortunes of the UK.

But Mark Allison, migrant workers manager at EEDA, said the local economy would be hit by any cut in immigration.

He said EEDA was also commissioning new research to look at the issue.

Mr Allison said: "Our research has shown that the East of England continues to benefit from recruiting skilled migrant workers from overseas.

"Without these workers, this region's economy would suffer, as could the delivery of many public services which benefit from migrant's skills.

"Businesses in the East of England echo this message - they need migrant workers and the skills that they bring to ensure that they continue to compete locally, nationally and globally."

EEDA will commission a study later this year to determine the economic risk associated with failing to maintain and attract sufficient migrant workers with the right skills to the region.