Not much happening out there in Cambridge, or is there?

[Waclaw Slezak]

Martin , a full answer will follow in due course on saturday.
On my return.
Regards
Waclaw

[Martin Kendall]

Hi Waclaw,

I have had alook at the executive summary and I would love to have a discussion however I have become somewhat disappointed with the level of interaction within this forum. It's probably my misinterpretation and I should remember that it is a social networking forum.

For what it's worth my opinion on some parts of the report - based on the executive summary - the highlighting of the demographic shift within the region and the positive effect that migrant workers have had on the economic rents of certain types of agricultural activity is:

1. Demographic shift was/is(?) fuelled by the booming economy and the rising prices of housing coupled with low-paid local agricultural work.
2. The economic health disparity between the UK and a number of EU countries made the UK an attractive proposition for migrant workers to "seek their fortune" here. The subsequent decline in the UK economy and the improvement of their home economy has made it less attactive for a lot of migrant workers to remain in the UK.

If we set aside the migrant worker aspect and look at what the region needs, in my opinion the answer could be an improved infrastructure and an increase in the diversity of economic activity. For example, in this technologiacl age, why is it that the "M4 corridor" is still seen as an attractive place to do business whilst there could equally be an "A14 corridor".

[Waclaw Slezak]

Martin Kendall said:

Hi Waclaw,

I have had alook at the executive summary and I would love to have a discussion however I have become somewhat disappointed with the level of interaction within this forum. It's probably my misinterpretation and I should remember that it is a social networking forum.

For what it's worth my opinion on some parts of the report - based on the executive summary - the highlighting of the demographic shift within the region and the positive effect that migrant workers have had on the economic rents of certain types of agricultural activity is:

1. Demographic shift was/is(?) fuelled by the booming economy and the rising prices of housing coupled with low-paid local agricultural work.
2. The economic health disparity between the UK and a number of EU countries made the UK an attractive proposition for migrant workers to "seek their fortune" here. The subsequent decline in the UK economy and the improvement of their home economy has made it less attactive for a lot of migrant workers to remain in the UK.

If we set aside the migrant worker aspect and look at what the region needs, in my opinion the answer could be an improved infrastructure and an increase in the diversity of economic activity. For example, in this technologiacl age, why is it that the "M4 corridor" is still seen as an attractive place to do business whilst there could equally be an "A14 corridor".

[Waclaw Slezak]

Back to business.
I appreciate the time you took to look at the issues on the two reports.
Uk should be very pleased in 15-20 years time when its own indigenous population will be very dpenedent on the present20-30 year old migrants who are settled and will be working for the pensions of the very aged baby bomers. Their children will be a welcome injection of new blood. If we look ahead to paying back the UK debt now being spent then we need those working migrants to continue to live in the UK. Our ow home grown neets will only expand in numbers. Billions invested in new schools and new universities are not delivering skilled or aspirational new workers in sufficient numbers for our economy.
That brings me to the second point. What is the use of a great infrastucture on a high Tech M11/A14 corridor when we do not have enough affordable houses to accomodate such an infux of young skilled professionals, or local skilled peolple already living here to be employed by these companies.
Migrants do not come 'to seek their fortune' but for a steady, decent and satisfying professional life for themselves and their children. Take away that incentive and opportunity by denigrating and demonizing migrants a la the Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Star et al, and we may lose them. within the EU there are other countries they could go to. We need to engage migrant workers more to make them feel a part of our society and not as a disposable pair of hands or an alien set of 'you're lucky to be here, mate' , group of workers.
Labour has shown that over 12 years they have failed abyssmally to generate an aspirtional culture in the schools, dspite the unlimted resources thrown at youth. The dumbing down is complete.

[Waclaw Slezak]

Further to my earlier comments please read today's Telegraph on line.
The article is about the growing demograhic gap all over the EU.
Britain is saved by migrant births and those by teenage mums. The latter are of no economic use now or later, so it will be the denigrated, demonized exploited migrants who will be filling in the work willing gap to help pay off the debt binge.
Quote from the Telegraph
"While the fertility rate is expected to rise over time, demographic shifts tend to be glacial. An ageing crunch is already baked into the pie, hitting hardest from 2015 to 2035.

Britain fares relatively well, helped by immigrants and – some say – by its unwed teenage mothers, who lift the fertility rate at 1.8."
As I said we need all working, willing and able hands on board long term for our economic prosperity.