Recent waves of immigration from Eastern Europe have driven van prices up significantly, it was reported today.
Van experts Eurotaxglass (ETG) claim that it is now unusual for a panel van of any age or condition to sell for less than £1,000.
One of the driving forces behind the price rises, according to ETG, is the fact that so many new British residents are working in areas of skilled labour such as plumbing, construction, roofing and electrical engineering.
George Alexander, ETG chief commercial vehicle editor, said that "the vast pool of artisan workers needing a cheap set of wheels to allow them to work, has proved to be the perfect kick-start for sales of older vans".
Mr Alexander went on to argue that, despite popular criticism of mass immigration, "some significant benefits… have been generated by the economic growth of self-employed sectors that require a low-price transport solution".
More than 600,000 new workers are estimated to have entered the UK since 2004.
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