Polish, Czech and other immigrants from the countries that joined the EU in 2004 have more than paid their way, contributing more in taxes than they receive in benefits and services from the UK welfare state, according to new research.

More than 500,000 immigrants from the eight accession countries joined the UK workforce, producing the standard concern with every wave of immigration that they might take out more than they put in, said Christian Dustmann, professor of economics at University College London.