The government should introduce a carefully designed amnesty for approximately 500,000 + migrants without visas already embedded in the UK economy. In our view, this would not be about encouraging new arrivals, but ensuring those already here could find work.

Some modelling suggests that such an amnesty could be positive for the UK economy as it could increase labour market participation. Tax receipts could also rise as wages could move from cash-in-hand to formal contracts subject to income tax and National Insurance. In our view, these gains align with the Migration Advisory Committee's findings that working-age migrants in employment make substantial net positive contributions, particularly when benefit access is initially limited.