The US and UK are most popular immigration choices

A report released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development showed that the US was number 1 for attracting immigrants.  Number 2 on the list was Britain.  Of the four million immigrants noted in the report, 1.3 million of them choose the US.  Another 343,000 chose to immigrate to Britain.

Dominic Grieve commented about the report noting that "These figures further undermine Gordon Brown's grand and unwise pronouncement to create 'British jobs for British workers'.  Britain is an attractive destination for immigration - and many new arrivals bring benefits but we must have an annual limit that takes into account the impact on public services."

The International Migration Outlook for 2008 from the OECD noted that nearly half of immigrants decide to return home after just 5 years in their new country.

Also noted in the report is that "long-term, permanent demand for low-skilled labor in other sectors, such as home care, food processing and construction, is expected to continue, especially as countries face drops in both their working-age populations and in the number of people prepared to work in low-status, low-paid sectors".

A spokesperson for the UK Border Agency responded that "Britain's borders are stronger than ever with asylum applications at an historic low and an immigration offender removed every eight minutes. Crucially the points system means only the migrants with the skills Britain needs can come - and no more. Unlike made-up quotas, this stops Government cutting business off from the skills it needs when they need them."

www.oecd.org

www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk