Skilled Migrants Boost UK Economy Significantly More Than British Workers — Sadiq Khan

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has pushed back against recent immigration restrictions announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, arguing that skilled migrants contribute far more to the British economy than their native counterparts.

Speaking on Tuesday, Khan dismissed negative stereotypes about immigrants being “sponges or skivers” as baseless, citing data that shows skilled migrants inject an average of £16,000 annually into the UK economy compared to just £800 from a British skilled worker.

The Mayor’s comments come in the wake of Starmer’s declaration on Monday to tighten immigration rules, citing concerns over surging net migration. Starmer highlighted that the UK’s net migration figure reached 906,000 in June 2023 and remained high at 728,000 in June 2024 — roughly equivalent to the population of Birmingham.

Starmer’s crackdown aims to "take back control of our borders," but Khan countered that the Prime Minister's approach ignores the critical role migrants play in sustaining the nation’s economy.

“I see every day the massive economic, social, and cultural impact migrants have on our city,” Khan said. “I’m the son of immigrants and I know from personal experience what migration brings to this country.”

Khan also emphasized the disparity in fiscal contributions: a skilled migrant's family contributes an estimated £12,000 annually to the UK economy, while a British skilled worker’s family results in a net cost of £4,400 when public service usage is considered.

Further highlighting the financial sacrifices of migrants, Khan pointed out that international students often pay double or triple the tuition fees of domestic students.

He also criticized the continued requirement for English language tests like IELTS which cost over $170 even for applicants from countries like Nigeria, where English is the official language.

Despite Khan's defence of immigrants, Starmer remains committed to tightening immigration policies, including raising language proficiency standards.Khan's message was clear: rather than being a burden, skilled migrants are a vital asset economically and socially to the UK.