Immigration and Jobs

The subject of immigration has arisen several times in recent conversations and at one point over the holiday period I was accused of having no idea what it was like to live on a large housing estate.

I certainly have to admit that I have been fortunate in life and that here in rural Rother it is easy to overlook such things. However, as an aspiring Member of Parliament, I have taken steps to ensure that I do know what life is like in the big bad world and formed my opinions accordingly. Also I have no shame in admitting that I grew up in a small house, as part of a large family, in a small town in the Midlands. I was fortunate in that passing my eleven plus exam entitled me to a good grammar school education, that I benefited from free further education and that all of this was in a time of high social mobility.

Unfortunately the current recession has also been a hot topic for conversations and of course there is a link to all of these subject matters. When under threat it is understandable for people to look to protect themselves and their own first of all. Tempers run high along with opinions which range from moral dudgeon to xenophobia, all fuelled by daily newspaper campaigns and other media comment. Some of the problem arises from inaccurate government figures on what the levels of illegal immigration are. Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne has called for the reintroduction of exit checks. This would at least help in establishing future immigration levels.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With loss of jobs in the current crisis the old argument of 'they are taking our jobs' again crops up. The counter to this is that in general, immigrants carry out jobs which no one else wants to do and of course at a lower of pay. With the fall in value of the pound against the euro it is inevitable that until we abandon the pound for the euro and become true Europeans with parity the Eastern Europeans are likely to return home and it might again be difficult to get a good plumber.

We are told that the next round of Graduates qualifying are unlikely to find jobs in the subject they have studied and will have to stack shelves in supermarkets to earn their keep. Is this not the time for school leavers and graduates seek practical, vocational qualifications which will not only earn them a living but also provide the essential services needed?