TJC 2018 Prelims GP (P2 Insert)

TEMASEK JUNIOR COLLEGE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2018 GENERAL PAPER 8807/02 Paper 2 23 August 2018 INSERT 1 hour 30 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST This Insert contains the passages for Paper 2. This document consists of 3 printed pages and 1 blank page. [Turn over

2 Passage 1. Tommy Stadlen argues for the benefits of immigration 1 There is a moment in Charles Dickens’s travelogue, ‘American Notes’, when the author comes to realise the greatness of immigrants. “It would be hard to keep your model republics going, without the countrymen and countrywomen of those two labourers,” he reflects, watching a pair of Irish immigrants. Modern Britain does not lack for such insight. The evidence in favour of immigration is too compelling for political elites to misunderstand. Our problem is that today’s Dickenses are drowned out by xenophobic chants that say voters dislike immigrants. 5 2 Recently, a political consensus has emerged around the notion that immigration is out of control and detrimental to Britons’ economic well-being. Politicians are falling over each other to proffer unedifying soundbites such as “England belongs to the English”. Few are willing to say what they all know to be true: that immigration is not only beneficial but absolutely necessary for Britain to thrive. 10 3 Research at University College London found that eastern European migrants pay far more taxes than they receive in benefits and services. The net benefit of almost 40 per cent that they contribute contrasts heavily with British born citizens who pay in taxes 20 per cent less than they receive in public services and benefits. A similar story of foreigners subsidising Britons is apparent in universities. With their inflated fees, visitors and would-be citizens prop up an education system neither the government nor students appear willing to fund. In their disproportionate entrepreneurialism, immigrants are vital engines of innovation and growth. Countries with more start-ups grow faster, and immigrants are more likely to be self-employed than natives. This is particularly true in mainland Europe but also in the UK and the US, where foreign-born pioneers are responsible for Google, Yahoo! and eBay. Over half of Silicon Valley companies were founded by immigrants. 15 20 4 Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City , has warned against “national suicide” as America pushes for greater border controls and emerging economies offer incentives to tempt home highly skilled workers. “We ship them home, where they can take what they learned here and use it to create companies and products that compete with ours.” We need more voices like Bloomberg in Britain. Politicians must acknowledge that immigrants represent an important part of the solution to our demographic time bomb. The proportion of western Europe’s population aged 65 or older will