b'From the point of view of the balance of payments, the two graphs above may be said to be alarming.According to World Bank data, in 2016 UK residents sent roughly $25 billion in remittances to foreign countries, in comparison to only $5 billion received in remittances. Since no official methodology for recording remittances exists, the value of remittances shown in the data is likely to be lower than the actual value of outflows.23 To use the term benefitswith an entirely different meaning, that is to say state support for the unwaged or, particularly, those on low wages. The discussion on immigration in the UK almost always presents a division between people working and people receiving benefits. This division is false.Working people receive benefits too. Herewith a partial list is likely of the UKs In- work Benefitsbenefits that people in work are eligible to receive. 1. Working tax creditMy employer issued me with a two- year 2. Low incomecontract, which included health insurance 3. Housing benefitand housing. Following expiry of the two- 4. Council tax supportyear contract, unless it was renewed, I had 5. Free school meals, milk or uniforms andto leave. The key point is that labour and healthcareskills shortages can be filled on a temporary 6. Support for mortgage interestbasis without conferring a right of permanent 7. Budgeting loans and advancessettlement. 8. Job grant 9. Reduced earning allowanceA discussion on immigration should not betotally based on the various manifestations of Shortages in skills and labour are another,economics. England is a densely populated different argument put forward in favour ofcountry. In fact, there is just one English immigration.countyCornwallwhich has the same density of population as France. In Germany, Perhaps the author can respond to this withthe density of population is approximately a personal reminiscence. I qualified as ahalf of what it is in England. To put it another Chartered Accountant in the last century.way, Germany could increase its population Around the time I qualified there was aby 40 million and still have a lower population shortage of accountants in the United Arabdensity than the UK. Emirates (UAE). In consequence, I was able to work in the UAE to respond to thisThe European Commission does not seem to shortage, and was offered a job.understand this.129'