What Do We Know and What Should We Do About Immigration?

A short, sharp and compelling book. The Observer

At a time when immigration has once again become a deeply contentious political issue, Jonathan Portes provides some much-needed clarity, taking on misinformation and inaccurate reporting to reveal the true economic and social impact of immigration to the UK.

This important book covers a short history of immigration to the UK, uses the latest research and data to summarise how it is financially beneficial to the economy, considers it’s positive effects on contemporary society, and provides straightforward answers to commonly asked questions such as: does immigration push down wages? Does it reduce job opportunities for those born in the UK? And what impact does it have on the NHS and other public services? Portes then proposes what we should do about immigration, defining what a post-Brexit system should look like, and outlining what, if anything, we should do to promote integration further.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The ‘What Do We Know and What Should We Do About…?’ series offers readers short, up-to-date overviews of key issues often misrepresented, simplified or misunderstood in modern society and the media. Each book is written by a leading social scientist with an established reputation in the relevant subject area. The Series Editor is Professor Chris Grey, Royal Holloway, University of London