THE damage to Britain and particularly to Oxford, if the free movement of people in the EU was abandoned has been highlighted in a report by retired senior diplomats and civil servants.

At its simplest, free movement allows lorry drivers to take UK goods to another EU country and pick up goods for onward or return journeys.

It allows businesses to open offices and provide services elsewhere in the EU with existing employees travelling and working there freely.

So free movement of people reinforces the other freedoms of the single market of 500m people: free movement of goods, capital and services.

It also enables business small and large to fill key vacancies where there are local skills shortages. The UK employs workers from other EU countries to fill professional posts and not only low and unskilled jobs highlighted by the media. In return, 1.4 million UK citizens live and work (or are retired) elsewhere in the Union. Free movement also allows cross-border commuting, benefiting 600,000 people, a surprising number of whom live in Oxfordshire.

Another big plus, particularly for Oxford’s higher education and technology sectors, is the freedom to recruit students and researchers from the best across Europe.

Oxford benefits hugely from tourism. Free movement visa-free for up to three months brings 20.5m visits to the UK from elsewhere in the EU.

This links to other single market benefits such as airline deregulation and protection for consumers.

The single market is still evolving and far from perfect. As in any system, abuses can happen and need to be tackled. However, with their blinkered, simplistic, protectionist approach, UKIP and its allies mislead voters and threaten to take the Great out of Britain.

Dr GRAHAM JONES, Oxford City Councillor, James Street, Oxford