Open labour markets are good for Britain

Sir, Hugo Dixon is right to say that European immigrants are good for Britain, but the perception that they are bad needs to be addressed (“How cosmopolitans can persuade parochial Britain”, April 15). Yet his proposals would convert few people. Any changes to EU migrants’ access to welfare will be minor, since far-reaching ones require treaty change, which Poland and other “sending countries” can veto. Extra money for public services in areas of high immigration would be welcome, but these areas tend to be comparatively pro-immigration in any case. Better enforcement of the minimum wage would be good for all sorts of reasons, but there is no evidence that employer abuse is so widespread that it is having an impact on Britons’ wages.

Policies designed to tackle perceptions are no substitute for being straight with people: open EU labour markets are good for the British economy, just like open goods markets. And if Britain wants to maintain access to the single market, it will have to accept European immigrants.

John Springford