tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21959228.post4611638432030925394..comments2024-03-28T09:14:52.110+00:00Comments on Sinclair's Musings: The unemployed and migrationMatthew Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05948452770723874618noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21959228.post-56470561637711001892007-11-19T18:41:00.000+00:002007-11-19T18:41:00.000+00:00When it comes to skilled migrants there is also th...When it comes to skilled migrants there is also the matter of the potential damage being done to their originating economy/country.<BR/><BR/>Whilst they should be free to take their labour where they will, the loss of the skilled workers we are siphoning off may be keenly felt where they are leaving.CFD Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14176957304124700156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21959228.post-74238716134024794902007-11-19T16:08:00.000+00:002007-11-19T16:08:00.000+00:00Hi Matt, here's my take on the economic impact of ...Hi Matt, here's my take on the economic impact of immigration, focussing on an area which I know a lot about i.e. highly-skilled migration.<BR/><BR/>People often talk about the economic benefits of migration in terms of filling a skills shortage. E.g. there are not enough doctors, so hire doctors from overseas. I agree with you that this is short sighted, and that the UK should endeavour to train more local doctors.<BR/><BR/>However, sometimes it's not a matter of a lack of qualified people, but simply a desire to choose the best. Take applications for graduate jobs at investment banks as an example, something every LSE student knows about. If Goldmans and Merrill Lynch limited themselves to hiring only UK or EU applicants, would there be enough suitable candidates? Certainly. But that's not the point - these firms want to hire the best, and if there is an Indian citizen who is much better than the 100 or so qualified Brits, then of course the firm will want to take the Indian.<BR/><BR/>If you look at the matter from a broader perspective, the City benefits from being able to pluck the best and brightest from all round the world, and doesn't care about nationality. If it were to limit itself to locals, there would certainly be enough talented people, but it gets a better outcome if it broadens its horizons.<BR/><BR/>I'm not entirely sure where this long and rambling post is heading, but the point I'm trying to make is that when analysing the economic impact of migration, there is a subtlety that you're kinda missing. It's not just 'filling a skills shortage' that you should be commenting on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21959228.post-72048921029554910662007-11-16T14:36:00.000+00:002007-11-16T14:36:00.000+00:00Interesting post. Well thought.Interesting post. Well thought.CFD Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14176957304124700156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21959228.post-57587341879340103152007-11-16T06:58:00.000+00:002007-11-16T06:58:00.000+00:00Well argued, particularly the last two paragraphs....Well argued, particularly the last two paragraphs. <BR/><BR/>...basic social and intellectual skills...<BR/><BR/>for sure these are the key factors.James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.com