Overview

• OBR official David Miles warns that the UK’s high migration levels place serious strain on public services and living standards.
• He highlights that low-paid migrant workers will cost taxpayers more than £150,000 each by the time they reach state pension age.
• Official data shows net migration drove a population increase of over 700,000 in England and Wales in the year to June 2024.
• The benefits bill for sickness and disability claims is projected to hit £100 billion by 2030, compounding fiscal pressures.
• Miles urges reducing domestic worklessness as a more sustainable path to economic growth and relief for overstretched services.