ASYLUM

The 2013 asylum statistics show clearly that within Scandinavia, Denmark is not the destination of choice. Sweden had 5,624 asylum seekers per million inhabitants, Norway 2,360 and Denmark only 1,357.

Good, say those here who don't like the idea of more immigrants. The problem however is that what is unattractive to asylum-seekers will also be unattractive to other types of foreigner. All the prognoses show that Denmark will be short of labour in the future, as the number of people retiring outstrips new entrants to the workforce. All of the political parties have signed up to the idea of importing "qualified workers", that is those with degrees or other skills. But why would thoughtful, skilled workers come to a cold, northern country if desperate asylum-seekers will not?

Walter Blotscher