Migrant workers 'expanding UK workforce'

The Conservative Party claims that thousands of new jobs in Britain are being filled by migrant workers, as the country's working population expands.

Refuting claims made by new prime minister Gordon Brown that the government has created jobs for British workers, Tory shadow chief secretary Philip Hammond has stated that the UK workforce is only growing because of migrant workers.

Stressing that migrant workers are making "a huge contribution to our economy", Mr Hammond pointed out that there were 1.5 million migrants in the British workforce by March this year and this number could be higher as the figure does not include those in short-term housing.

According to the shadow minister, migrant workers hold almost two thirds (61 per cent) of the total new jobs since Labour came to power in 1997, while 1.3 million young people under the age of 25 remain out of work, education or training.

"Migrants make a huge contribution to our economy, but the real jobless total exceeds four million and more young people are not in work, education or training than in 1997," Mr Hammond stated.

The Wales Trades Union Congress published a report in May this year which suggested that many migrant workers in the UK were being exploited by their employers.

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Date:14/08/2007 11:33:16