Measuring the benefits of integration: The value of tackling skills underutilisation

It illustrates the potential benefits of utilising migrants’ untapped skills to the UK economy. While compared to other European countries the UK has a relatively good record on getting migrants into work, it could make far better use of migrants’ skills, experiences and qualifications.

According to our estimates, addressing over-qualification could add around £7 billion to the UK’s annual economic output. There is therefore a strong economic case for a new programme of investment in labour market integration – including in English language proficiency, which our research suggests is associated with poor labour market outcomes such as over-qualification.

Download the methodology spreadsheet here.