Migrant labour 'drying up'?

New research has shown that the flow of migrant workers from eastern Europe to the UK is slowing, which could lead to skills shortages in some areas.

An Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) report has claimed that while an increasing number of people are migrating from the UK, the number of immigrants from countries such as Hungary and Poland are falling, according to Personnel Today.

The report is quoted as stating: "This trend raises the spectre of labour shortages and increased off-shoring of British businesses."

According to figures from the IPPR research, of the one million migrant workers that came to the UK in 2004 from eight accession countries, over half had since elected to leave.

As a result of their findings, the IPPR is urging the government to boost the UK's image and appeal to overseas workers.

The Economic Impact of Immigration report by a House of Lords select committee recently concluded that immigration has had "little or no impact" on the financial situation of Britons and has contributed approximately £6 billion to the economy.