New report shows EU migrants receive, on average, 50% less in terms of social benefit expenditure and that the migration results in net positive contribution. In response Green MEP Jean Lambert has said “the conclusion isn’t new” and that the Prime Minister should be concentrating on “ensuring people are paid decent wages”.
At an event yesterday in the European Parliament to launch a new report, London MEP Jean Lambert says of the study:
‘This study shows, yet again, that the Government’s portrayal of EU nationals in the UK as being takers rather than givers is just not backed by evidence.’
Covering the period from 2007 – 2013, the findings from four countries: the UK, Austria, Germany and The Netherlands shows that EU migrants made a positive contribution to their respective state budgets. The total taxes paid in exceeded the total benefits received by EU migrants by between 0.2 and 0.9 % of GDP, on conservative estimates.
Directly responding to some member states, the UK included, who want to restrict the right to free movement of people in the EU, the new report from the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) further showed that:
- EU migrants received, on average, 50% less in terms of social benefit expenditure than the average citizen of the countries studied
- Even when pension-related benefits and contributions are not taken into account, the net positive contribution remains for the UK
Hosting the launch event in the European Parliament, Green London MEP Jean Lambert concluded:
‘While these findings are welcome the conclusion isn’t new, and you certainly wouldn’t know it based on the reporting of the mainstream UK press.
‘If the Prime Minister really wants to reduce benefit payments, he should concentrate on ensuring people are paid decent wages so they don’t need state top-ups. Pay is a national responsibility.’