Letter: Immigrants are scapegoated by press, public and politicians

Sir: Why do you conflate the indisputable economic benefits of admitting migrant workers with an effective open-door policy on asylum ("It is time that we dismantled the dangerous myth of Fortress Europe", 7 February)?

Without the presence of cheap labour from overseas willing to take on jobs which indigenous workers shun, many firms in London and the South- east in particular would be unable to staff their businesses.

But to argue that we should therefore admit anyone who seeks entry - with no apparent consideration for the already substantial strain on the housing and transport infrastructures - risks provoking a political backlash which will stifle the very flow of migrants which has enriched this country, many businesses and the migrants themselves.

DAN BRIDGETT

London Chamber of Commerce

London EC4