Exit checks needed to assess migrant numbers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th Apr 2008

Commenting on today's IPPR report showing that immigration from Eastern Europe is spread evenly across the country, and that many migrants are in Britain for only a short time period, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"Turnstile immigration represents new planning challenges to Britain's public services. But a key first step must be reintroduction of exit checks, so we know who is actually here.

"This report demonstrates just how wildly inaccurate Government estimates were. While ministers predicted that just 13,000 migrants would arrive each year, the IPPR believes that the figure was actually over a million.

"However, it also rightly highlights the positive economic contribution Eastern European migrants have made to every corner of the UK."