"The UK has always used immigration to keep down labour costs"This is the vile and fallacious lie that the tabloids and certain politicians have kept repeating for decades, brain-washing those of the general public not smart enough and/or open-minded enough to think this through, and, whilst not supporting the far right themselves, helping many's thoughts to take the first steps in that direction.That statement is nonsense.No it hasn't. Over the years, the UK has occasionally used immigration to fill gaps in the labour force, not to bring down wages. The main thrust of UK immigration policy has not been to encourage it for any purpose but to progressively tighten the rules so that it becomes harder and harder for people to come here.Immigrants do not, on average, lower labour costs (though there are small pockets of the labour market where from time to time, an influx of immigrants can have such a temporary effect). In general, immigrants both add to the general level of demand in the economy, effectively creating as many new jobs as they take up and, by way of alleviating sectoral labour shortages, increase the economy's overall productivity."Taking our jobs and lowering our wages" is the lie that hood-winked many into supporting the still unfolding disaster of Brexit. Such claims are made still on the pages of Britain First's website. This is about the only place that they belong.
Michael Winstanley ● 1175d