Migration Watch UK is an independent think tank. It is chaired by Sir Andrew Green, a former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The Vice Chairman is Mr Alp Mehmet, MVO, a former Ambassador to Iceland. We have a distinguished Advisory Council from diverse ethnic and professional backgrounds.
We entirely accept that genuine refugees should be welcomed; nowadays those granted protection comprise only about 3% of net foreign immigration.
We also recognise that many immigrants have made a valuable contribution to our society in terms both of skills and diversity so we are not opposed to immigration that is moderate and managed. At present it is neither.
Our purpose is to monitor developments, conduct research, and provide the public with full and accurate facts placed in their proper context. We also make recommendations for policy.
Since its formation in September 2008 we have provided research for the Cross Party Group on Balanced Migration led by Frank Field MP (Labour) and Nicholas Soames MP (Conservative). Details of the Group and their proposals can be found at www.balancedmigration.org
Unlike most organisations in this field, we receive no subsidy from the government in any form and have no intention of seeking one. As we are not a membership organisation, we rely on donations of whatever our supporters can afford, as well as on subscriptions to our papers (at a cost of £25 per year) from those who would like to have hard copies of our papers.
Revised 30 March 2011