Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Friday, 12 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2003. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the amount paid in taxes by migrants to the UK in each of the last five years. - Includes ref to Home Office research study published in 2002 (RDS Occupational Paper 77 'The migrant population in the UK: fiscal effects' and figures.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the amount paid in taxes by migrants to the UK in each of the last five years. [130497] Beverley Hughes: Information does not exist on the precise amounts paid in taxes by migrants to the UK each year. However, a Home Office research study, published in 2002 (RDS Occasional Paper 77 "The migrant population in the UK: fiscal effects"), estimated that for the fiscal year 1999-2000 migrants paid £31.2 billion in taxes. By comparison they received an estimated £28.8 billion in public expenditure and services--making a net fiscal contribution to the UK of £2.5 billion.

Secondary information