David Cameron shelves migration report amid lack of evidence

David Cameron shelved a government report on EU migration, after Theresa May, home secretary, failed to provide evidence to support her case for imposing tighter curbs on immigrants.

Ms May, whose department was responsible for drafting the report, said last month there was “abuse of free movement” rules and that some migrants were attracted by “access to benefits” – although she has struggled to prove her contention that limiting EU migration would be good for Britain.

Immigration has surged up the political agenda as the government has hardened its rhetoric on the issue but ministers have failed to provide evidence to back claims, repeated by Mr Cameron, that many migrants travel to Britain for generous benefits.

The government’s discomfort on the issue was compounded on Tuesday when Robert Chote, head of the Office for Budget Responsibility, told MPs that the country’s fiscal position would be worse if net migration was lower because immigrants were more likely to be of working age.

Now Mr Cameron has ordered a delay in publication of the Home Office report until after the European elections in May. Liberal Democrats and civil servants had complained that the draft was not based on evidence and was overtly political. Some in Whitehall believe Ms May’s report may never be published.

One official said: “They can’t bring themselves to publish the report before the European elections because they would have to admit that freedom of movement is a good thing.”

Ms May’s report on the EU’s free movement rules was due to have been published at the turn of the year, as part of a dispassionate look atBritain’s relationship with the EU.

But officials close to the process say Ms May was inundated with evidence from academics and business leaders supporting the EU’s single market for labour, arguing that it helped to make Britain competitive and was good for the economy.

Laszlo Andor, EU employment commissioner, complained this week that the British debate was driven by “myths” and condemned what he called “emotional and misguided discussions in certain member states”.

Ms May’s report was one of a number expected to be published on February 21 but it is now on hold indefinitely.

“We will publish it when it is ready,” Downing Street said.

An aide to Ms May said on Tuesday night that her draft report was “fair-minded” and that the home secretary hoped its publication would “not necessarily be delayed”.

George Osborne, chancellor, will say on Wednesday that Europe must “reform or decline”, insisting that Britain’s calls for economic reform are vital to stop the EU falling behind China, India and other emerging economies.

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/news/article/3093/david-cameron-shelves-migration-report-amid-lack-of-evidence

Won't go down well with some.   

when the eu says jump, Cameron says "how high"