Letter to the Editor: Free movement of workers has been a boon to British

From Mr Roland Rudd

Sir, The article about your poll on attitudes to migration focuses on the British public's reservations over immigration ("Hostile UK fails to see benefits of migration", February 19). In this debate, we have to remember that migration is a two-way street. The free movement of labour, as well as leading to significant inflows to the UK, has enabled people from the UK to live, travel and work in other European countries. As a result, many young Brits are exposed to other European cultures through Erasmus or other student exchanges, while British entrepreneurs can now easily take their ideas beyond the shores of the UK to other European markets.

As your poll showed, more British people are thinking about spending time in other European countries. Indeed, thousands have already taken advantage of the European Union's free movement, with an estimated 750,000 now living in Spain.

Free movement of workers has undoubtedly created some social disquiet in the UK, which is reflected in the results of your poll. At the same time we should be mindful of the benefits it has brought to the UK's labour market and the opportunities it has created for Brits abroad.

Roland Rudd,
Chairman,
Business for New Europe,
London EC2P 2YS