b'Table 57The downward trend of GDP per capitaSource: Wikimedia Commons UK productivityis a concern, as this Bank ofCould there be a connection between mass England study (2014) states:immigration and the Bank of Englandsproductivitypuzzle? Since the onset of the 2007-08 financial crisis, labour productivityin the UnitedThis is obviously an assignment for an Kingdom has been exceptionally weak.economist specialising in labour productivity. Despite some modest improvements inHowever, given the abuse that anyone who 2013, whole-economy output per hourlooks objectively at immigration is subject to, remains around 16% below the levelwe may not see any rigorous academic work implied by its pre-crisis trend. Even takingon this for some time and perhaps never. into account possible measurement issues and secular changes in some sectors, thisNevertheless, a reader (Mr. James Winpenny) shortfall is largeand often referred to aswriting to the Financial Times on 25 the productivitypuzzle.17 October 2015 put the case eloquently and convincingly: High levels of immigration A 2018 report from Andrew Haldane, a chiefhave sustained a low-wage economy in economist at the Bank of England, reachedthe UK. Employers in many sectors have the same conclusion: Since 2008,become used to taking on an effectively productivityin the UK has essentially flat-unlimited supply of labour at unchanging real lined. This is almost unprecedented in thewage rates. This, combinedwith our flexible modern era, a lost decade and counting.18 labour marketshould cause no surprise that productivitylevels remain low, compared125'