Britain needs immigrants to avert a demographic crisis caused by falling birth rates and an ageing population, according to new research released today.

The research report, entitled Jewels in the Crown, has been commissioned by international money transfer service MoneyGram® and compiled by Dr Vaughan Robinson, head of the Migration Unit at the University of Wales, Swansea.

Immigrants - a solution to UK's population crisis

The Key findings of the report suggest that immigrants provide a viable solution to Britain's population crisis because they are generally young and economically active. Only eight per cent of them are at retirement age and they are producing more children than British couples.

Without further international immigration, the UK population will fall from 58.6 million in 2000 to 55.59 million by 2050. Immigration levels need to be increased by about 20 per cent to help Britain maintain its current population size.

The report confirms that, contrary to commonly held beliefs that they cost the country too much, immigrants have already contributed much to Britain's economy. In the early 1950s they helped Britain to cope with a chronic labour shortage. Immigrants took up jobs that British people did not want and rejuvenated inner city areas that had been largely abandoned in the mid-1970s after British people flocked to suburban and semi-rural areas.

NHS dependent on ethnic professionals

The National Health Service, one of the pioneer employers of immigrants, has a large number of ethnic professionals. In many of the less popular areas of medicine, such as psychiatry and geriatrics, ethnic doctors and nurses provide the backbone of the service.

In addition, as the Asian population in the UK is generally more youthful they use the NHS services far less, in effect contributing more to its coffers overall.

Leon Isaacs, Marketing Director of MoneyGram®, said:"Over the past 40 years, ethnic minorities have established themselves as part of the fabric of British life and we should not underestimate the vital role they can play in helping to maintain the social infrastructure of the country in the 21st Century."

Dr. Vaughan Robinson adds: "Britain's ethnic minorities provide us with an opportunity rather than a problem. We must seize that opportunity to change our perceptions.

"Ethnic minorities are already recognised for their contributions to sport, politics and entertainment, but it is high time we realised they have brought some industries back to life, such as textiles, and helped to turn our neglected inner cities into thriving areas."

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