Most foreigners living in the UK (2/3 at the last census), and over half the net immigration each year, come from outside the EU. The people trying to get here from Calais and other refugees are NOT FROM THE EU. That is already almost entirely within our power to regulate. Coping with them would be the same in or out of the EU.
People from the EU states have freedom of movement within the EU (which we take for granted when we go for holidays abroad) but that is regulated too. They have to be self-supporting, and not dependent on hand-outs.
There are the economically active (ie in work and paying taxes, which help pay for our services)
There are students ( paying tuition fees )
There are those wealthy enough to look after themselves and their families without relying on public benefits. There is no right to “benefit tourism” under EU law.
Anyone from the EU has to pay for their keep, one way or another. Surveys have shown that they are more likely to be the younger, better qualified and in work; they pay far more into the country in work and taxes than they take out in public benefits or services.
We chose to let people come here from the Eastern European countries; no one forced us to and we could have decided otherwise.
The two million Britons living in the EU are more likely to be retired, not working and paying taxes. If they all come home when they no longer have a right to live there, they will not be paying taxes here either.
Sometimes it’s just the small things that press the bruise isn’t it? 😢
