Mayor renews migrant amnesty appeal

16/06/09

Protesters at the Strangers into Citizens march in London

Calls for an amnesty for long-term illegal migrants have been renewed today after a report published an assessment of the potential economic effects.

Researched by the London School of Economics for Boris Johnson, the report calculated that an amnesty for over 600,000 migrants would generate £842m in tax revenues and inject over £3b into the economy annually. 

Figures also show that up to £1b extra will be needed to cover the increase in public services and benefits once the migrants are granted amnesty.

There are an estimated 442,000 illegal migrants in London and Mr Johnson backed calls for an amnesty last year.  

Advocacy groups like Strangers into Citizens are lobbying for an amnesty or ‘regularisation’ of those who have been living here for over six years, possess a clean criminal record, a proficiency in English and can present employer and character references.    

Spokesperson Jonny Scott was present at the launch of the report and welcomes the results.

“We think it further strengthens the academic validity of the call to a pathway to citizenship and we hope that this increase of awareness and pressure leads to the change that is deeply needed for those struggling under the current system,” he said.

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