# How does immigration affect the public finances?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ifs-zooms-in-the-economy-638796/how-does-immigration-affect-the-public-finances
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ifs-zooms-in-the-economy-638796/how-does-immigration-affect-the-public-finances.md
Podcast: [IFS Zooms In: The Economy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/ifs-zooms-in-the-economy-638796)
Published: 2026-09-10T14:57:21+00:00
Episode link: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5ea004d9fbcc383829c71657/e/6aa2bed4c939da2795507fe6/media.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2965

## Resource

Immigration is one of the most debated issues in British politics. But what impact does it actually have on the economy and the public finances? We speak to Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford and Interim Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, and IFS economist Max Warner about how migration to the UK has changed, and what that means for the government’s finances. Which types of migrants contribute most to the public finances, and which cost the government more? How does immigration affect the wider economy? And with net migration falling sharply, what could lower migration mean for the OBR’s forecasts - and the choices facing the Chancellor at the Budget? Madeleine’s new book, What Is Immigration Policy For? , is available from Bristol University Press. Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membership Find out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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