Labour Leader Corbyn Says Migration Benefits UK Economy

Freedom of movement is a positive principle, while migration is good for the United Kingdom’s Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the UK opposition Labour Party, said Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Labour leader reiterated his support of the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union,

"Those that work in our health service, make sure our health service survives are often people that have come to live in this country either from outside Europe or within Europe <…> Migration actually is a plus to our economy as a whole. Those people pay a lot in taxes, receive much less on average in benefits than the rest of the community and make an amazing contribution," Corbyn told the ITV channel in an interview.

UK nationals are set to vote on June 23 in a referendum on the country's EU membership, after Prime Minister Cameron and the leaders of the 27 EU member states reached a deal in February to grant the United Kingdom a special status within the bloc. The membership campaign officially started in early April.

Supporters of the UK exit from the bloc argue that EU membership has eroded Britain’s independence to legislate, direct its economy and control its borders. Opponents warn that leaving the European Union could deeply harm the country’s economy.