Mass immigration could see water shortages, failing hospitals – and we won’t feel richer, says Civitas
“The report from Civitas found that large-scale immigration will have a negative effect on standards of living as any economic benefits will be outweighed by pressures”
Uncontrolled immigration could lead to water shortages, overcrowded classrooms, failing hospitals and the need for hundreds of new cities to cope with Britain’s booming population, a new report warns.The report from Civitas found that large-scale immigration will have a negative effect on standards of living as any economic benefits will be outweighed by pressures imposed by a much bigger population.
In a report on economic consequences of immigration, Cambridge University economist Robert Rowthorn said any gains would be small compared to strains placed on amenities such as housing, schools and hospitals.
The 85-page report that as a result gross domestic product would grow as a whole but GDP per capita would be only marginally affected by projected population growth forecast for the coming century.
Mr Rowthorn, Emeritus Professor of Economics at Cambridge University, said: “Unrestrained population growth would eventually have a negative impact on the standard of living through its environmental effects such as overcrowding, congestion and loss of amenity.”
Net migration has been above 225,000 a year every year for the past decade – it has fallen back recently but is still over 200,000. At these rates, the report said population will increase by a projected 20million over the next 50 years and by 29million over the next 29 years. “This growth would be almost entirely due to migration,” it said.
Immigration on this scale would mean that the average of the population would fall in the shorter term – but would only be kept low by more immigration.
The consequences would be felt across the country. It said that this large scale population growth, fuelled by immigration, could cause water to be rationed in some parts of the country.
The report said that that some “water-stressed regions of England and Wales” in the south-east and east of England were comparable with Spain and Italy.
Referring to an Environment Agency study on water shortages, it said: “Population growth is identified in this report as a major source of strain on water resources.”
Other public services will also be hit. It said: “Population growth may lead to housing shortage and pressure on public facilities such as schools, hospitals and the transport infrastructure.
“Such problems can in principle be handled by building more homes, enlarging existing schools and hospitals or building new ones, widening existing roads or building new ones, and increasing the capacity of the rail network.
“This would not be a once-and-for-all investment programme. Sustained population growth would require an ever increasing number of homes, hospitals schools and transport facilities.”
The report found that the Conservative goal to reduce net migration to “tens of thousands” by the next election was impossible to reach if European Union migration continues at the present rate.
Against a backdrop of growing concerns of an influx of Romanians and Bulgarians to the UK, the Prime Minister last year rushed through a series of tough measures to clamp down on “abuse” of free movement between EU member states.
A Home Office spokesman said: “This report shows how vital it was for this Government to reverse the unfettered immigration policy of the past and why we must carry on our reforms to build an immigration system which works in the national interest.
“It is clear that uncontrolled, mass immigration makes it difficult to maintain social cohesion, puts pressure on our public services and forces down wages for people on low incomes.
“That is why we are building an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants, that is tough on those who abuse the rules or flout the law, and that ensures people come to the UK for the right reasons — to work hard and contribute to our economy and society.”
What will be the effects of mass immigration?
– The country’s economy will grow but individually one will feel much richer because the wealth will be shared by more people.
– A likely concentration of the population growth in the “water-stressed” south could see water supplies rationed
– Not enough new homes might be built to cope with the influx
– Hospitals and transport networks might struggle to cope
Source: The Telegraph