Immigrants from outside the European Union cost Britain almost £120 billion over 17 years, compared with a £4 billion contribution by those from the EU, according a study published today.
Recent migrants from Europe have also contributed more in taxes than they received in benefits, and were better educated than British-born residents.
The findings that EU migrants make a positive contribution will fuel the debate on the impact of migration as the prime minister prepares to make a keynote speech outlining plans to curb the flow from Europe to Britain.
Christian Dustmann, director of the Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration at University College, London, and co-author of the study, said: “A key concern in the public debate on migration is whether immigrants contribute