How Did We Get Here? The Political Economy of Immigration to the United Kingdom

Registration from 18.15, with a prompt start to the lecture at 18.45. 
Drinks reception for all on the 8th Floor, Bush House, from 20.00-21.00

In the last two decades, immigration has moved to the centre of the UK political debate: in parallel, there has been explosive growth in academic research on the impacts of immigration to the UK. The lecture will present a brief history of immigration policy and the immigration debate; set out what we know about the impacts of immigration; and discuss the way forward for UK immigration policy in the context of Brexit.

Jonathan Portes is a Professor in the Department of Political Economy(School of Politics & Economics), and a Senior Fellow of the Economic and Social Research Council's 'UK in a Changing Europe' initiative, based in the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, King’s College London.

UK in a Changing Europe promotes high quality research into the complex and changing relationship between the UK and the European Union. Jonathan’s current research concentrates on issues related to immigration and labour mobility, both within the European Union and outside; and the economic implications of Brexit. Other research interests include labour markets, fiscal policy, social security and welfare, and the use of evaluation and evidence in public policy.

Jonathan has spent much of his career as a civil servant, with roles as Chief Economist at both the Department for Work and Pensions (2002-08) and Cabinet Office (2008-11). He led the Cabinet Office’s economic analysis and economic policy work during the financial crisis and on the G20 London Summit in April 2009.

Jonathan was Director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research from 2011-2015.

Jonathan publishes articles on economic issues regularly in the UK and international press and comments frequently in the print and broadcast media. His most recent book, 'Capitalism', is published by Quercus. He has testified on numerous occasions before Parliamentary committees, in particular the Treasury Committee and the Home Affairs Committee.