Following the launch of the Migration Dividend Fund report (which can be found in full here), MPs from across the political spectrum have welcomed the proposal:
“Towns like ours need a fair deal. This report is exactly right that we need major new investment in our towns and that local people should be able to decide how it is spent.
“New jobs and investment are too often concentrated in the cities – that’s why I’ve been calling for a proper plan for investment in towns.”
Yvette Cooper, Labour MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford
“Towns have rightly welcomed many migrants over recent years through asylum accommodation and EU migration. It has brought huge benefits but cannot compensate for decades of underinvestment in our towns. This welcome report recognises the urgent need for investment outside of the big cities.”
Lisa Nandy, Labour MP for Wigan
“This is a welcome report and covers a lot of the things I’ve been saying on the need to support communities like ours in Teesside which haven’t felt the benefits of an increasingly global economy.
“Leaving the EU does not fix the problems that led to Brexit. In many cases it makes them worse. We need a much fairer amount of funding, investing in infrastructure, skills and the jobs of the future.
“Migration benefits our economy, but £4.7bn we receive every year from European migrants flows straight into government’s coffers in Westminster and austerity means communities like Redcar don’t see a penny. We should spend this money where it’s really needed.”
Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar
“The Liberal Democrats firmly believe that immigration has enriched our economy, culture, and society. The Conservative government have failed to tackle the inequality that persists across the UK and it is essential that whoever the next PM is makes it a priority to tackle the root of that inequality, rather than scapegoat migrants.
“In the Highlands many EU migrants fill vital roles in the health service, food processing and the tourism sector. This Conservative Government’s hapless treatment of EU citizens in putting up barriers and I welcome any moves to reverse this.
“The Highlands, and the UK as a whole, needs EU migrants and in welcoming them to live and work here we enrich our nation.
“This report offers positive tangible steps to help do that, including through ensuring access to funding for smaller towns, improving transport links and rebalancing the uneven spread of prosperity and opportunity we see in the UK.”
Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Similarly, a range of influential parliamentarians have supported the proposals on social media, including the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson:
A £4.3bn fund – paid for by reversing planned corporation tax cuts – would go a significant way toward addressing inequality among disadvantaged communities. At almost 15 x Theresa May's pitiful offering, it can bring real change where it is needed most.https://t.co/CkqFLHzn1B
— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) July 15, 2019
I like this, a lot.
— Peter Kyle MP (@peterkyle) July 15, 2019
“Immigration brings a significant net economic benefit to the UK. Yet pointing out benefits means little to people if they see few opportunities around them and the place in which they live feels neglected.” @patmcfaddenmp https://t.co/8r5lVAwksk
Great report from @patmcfaddenmp et al today: using the “profit” migrant workers have contributed to the Treasury to invest in the towns which haven’t benefited from recent economic growth and investment. https://t.co/NGGytXHDYx
— Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) July 15, 2019
This is a brilliant plan and as @patmcfaddenmp has said it could fund the Marshall Plan our working class communities need EU migrants' £4.3bn contribution to UK 'should be spent on poor' | Brexit | The Guardian https://t.co/sosCuCILvQ
— PhilWilsonMP (@MPphilwilson) July 15, 2019
“Immigration brings a significant net economic benefit to UK. Yet pointing out net economic benefits means little to people if they see few opportunities around them & the place in which they live feels neglected.” VG from @Global__Future @patmcfaddenmp https://t.co/WY3SW3hHEj
— Liz Kendall (@leicesterliz) July 15, 2019
You can read Pat McFadden MP’s short piece for the Mirror introducing the report here.