Xenophobia is bad economics: Five reasons why Britain should welcome immigration
"Current levels of immigration help Britain to deal with the costs of an ageing population, by replacing retiring workers and by raising more taxes to pay for health and pensions costs," states the Centre for European Reform in its paper 'The Economic Consequences of [the UK] Leaving the EU'.
"Since hostility to immigration is pushing Britain towards the exit door, it is likely that the UK would restrict immigration from the EU upon exit. This would require Britain to increase taxes or cut spending," it added.
The report also pointed out that at least 1.4 million British people currently live in other European countries, free to come and go as they please. Changing the terms of our immigration policy could force them to return to the UK.