A report said that detaining children in immigration centres put them at risk of mental health problems, self-harm, and even suicide.
Source: Significant Harm: The effects of administrative detention on the health of children, young people and their families, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Psychiatrists, and UK Faculty of Public Health
Links: Report | Joint press release | IRR press release | Guardian report | Nursing Times report
Date: 2009-Dec
An article examined the impact of recent growth in the numbers of international migrants on the economy and labour market of rural areas, and considered the opportunities and risks for rural development posed by increasing reliance on non-United Kingdom migrants in the workforce.
Source: Anne Green, Maria De Hoyos, Paul Jones and David Owen, 'Rural development and labour supply challenges in the UK: the role of non-UK migrants', Regional Studies, Volume 43 Number 10
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Dec
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on its 'managed migration' system. It said that it would ensure that there was less need to fill skills shortages through migration by strengthening links between the Migration Advisory Committee's shortage occupation list and training priorities in the skills system.
Source: Managing Migration: The points based system – Government Reply to the Thirteenth Report, Cm 7767, Home Office/TSO
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2009-Dec
Three linked reports examined migrant workers in Northern Ireland. They outlined the economic impacts of, and the public's attitude to, migrant workers. Overall, migrant workers had had a beneficial impact on the Northern Ireland labour market, contributing almost 40,000 jobs and £1.2 billion in 2008.
Source: Oxford Economics, Economic, Labour Market and Skills Impacts of Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Executive | John Bell, Anne Caughey, Ulf Hansson, Agnieszka Martynowicz and Maura Scully, Experiences of Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Executive | Attitudes to Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland: Results from the Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey, Northern Ireland Executive
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | Report (3) | NIE press release
Date: 2009-Dec
A report by a committee of MPs said that, although it welcomed increased resources made available to clear the substantial backlog of asylum applications, it remained 'most dissatisfied' at a target date of the summer of 2011. It called for staffing levels to be raised so that all cases going back three years or longer were finally decided on at the latest by September 2010.
Source: The Work of the UK Border Agency, Second Report (Session 2009-10), HC 105, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee/TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Dec
A report said that the care of older people was increasingly being carried out by migrant workers, and that some agencies were guilty of serious exploitation of staff.
Source: Krisnah Poinasamy and Louie Fooks, Who Cares? How best to protect UK care workers employed through agencies and gangmasters from exploitation, Oxfam GB
Links: Report | Oxfam press release | REC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Dec
A report examined the services available to refugees and asylum-seekers. People who came to the United Kingdom seeking refuge faced a 'stark lack of understanding' of their mental health needs, and were often denied access to crucial services and treatments. Restrictive policies on healthcare, education, accommodation, and employment were having devastating consequences, further marginalizing refugees and asylum-seekers from society. A linked report said that primary care trusts and local authorities needed to do more to improve their engagement with refugee community organizations, and develop more culturally appropriate services.
Source: A Civilised Society: Mental health provision for refugees and asylum-seekers in England and Wales, Mind (020 8519 2122) | Improving Mental Health Support for Refugee Communities: An advocacy approach, Mind
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | Mind press release
Date: 2009-Nov
A paper examined disaggregated attitudes to migration from seven different regions. There was evidence for a consistent hierarchy of preferences between immigrant groups, with white and culturally more proximate immigrant groups less opposed than non-white and culturally more distinct immigrants.
Source: Robert Ford, Acceptable and Unacceptable Migrants: How opposition to immigration is affected by migrants' region of origin, Working Paper 2009-08, Centre for Census and Survey Research/University of Manchester (0161 2754891)
Links: Paper
Date: 2009-Nov
The government published a draft Immigration Bill, together with an explanatory report and framework document. Under measures included in the Bill, the five existing application categories available to migrants would be replaced by one concept – 'permission' to be in the United Kingdom. Migrants would either be granted permission or refused. A new, temporary, time-limited, permission would be given for a particular purpose to visit, work, or study and would be subject to restrictions on access to work or public funds. Permanent residents would be given permission without any time limit or conditions attached.
Source: Draft Immigration Bill, Cm 7666, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Simplifying Immigration Law: The Draft Bill, Cm 7730, Home Office, TSO | Simplifying Immigration Law: A New Framework for Immigration Rules, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Text of Bill | Report | Framework | Hansard | RMJ press release
Date: 2009-Nov
A report by a committee of MPs said that the detention of children for indeterminate periods of time under immigration procedures should be avoided wherever possible. Legal processes needed to became fairer, quicker, and more transparent.
Source: The Detention of Children in the Immigration System, First Report (Session 2009-10), HC 73, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Childrens Society press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Nov
A new annual report brought migration statistics from across the government statistical service together in a single publication. It illustrated why migrants came to or left the United Kingdom; where they had come from or were going to; where immigrants lived and their employment patterns; and people's movements between different parts of the United Kingdom. Net migration fell to 163,000 in 2008, from 233,000 in 2007 – the lowest level since the eight accession countries joined the European Union in 2004.
Source: Migration Statistics 2008: Annual Report, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034), Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Report | ONS press release | Home Office press release | Balanced Migration press release | UUK press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Nov
The government began consultation on proposals to reform the system of asylum support. It proposed that families should only be allowed housing and benefit payments for three months after they were told to leave the United Kingdom.
Source: Reforming Asylum Support: Effective support for those with protection needs, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Consultation document | Community Care report (1) | Community Care report (2)
Date: 2009-Nov
An article created a profile of those individuals who migrated to England and Wales from outside the United Kingdom at retirement age.
Source: Marcus Green, Maria Evandrou and Jane Falkingham, 'Older international migrants: who migrates to England and Wales in later life?', Population Trends 137, Autumn 2009, Office for National Statistics, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Article
Date: 2009-Sep
A report said that around 400,000 'irregular' migrants living in the United Kingdom could benefit if a scheme were introduced to regularize their status, based on 5 years of crime-free residence. Allowing for increased take-up following regularization, likely additional public service costs could be of the order of £410 million per annum, rising to £1 billion as and when migrants received indefinite leave to remain. These would be balanced by additions to tax/national insurance payments. With a full take-up of regularization and greater access to the job market, net public revenues might rise by some £850 million per annum.
Source: Ian Gordon, Kathleen Scanlon, Tony Travers and Christine Whitehead, Economic Impact on the London and UK Economy of an Earned Regularisation of Irregular Migrants to the UK, Greater London Authority (020 7983 4100)
Date: 2009-Sep
The human rights watchdog in Northern Ireland highlighted serious human rights concerns in relation to homeless non-United Kingdom nationals in Northern Ireland who were excluded from accessing public funds.
Source: Sorcha McKenna and Roisin Devlin, No Home from Home: Homelessness for people with no or limited access to public funds, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (028 9024 3987)
Links: Report | NIHRC press release
Date: 2009-Sep
A new book provided a comparative analysis of the situation of children of international migrants in Europe, focusing on Britain, France, and Germany. It examined nine ethnic/nationality groups including Pakistanis and Indians in Britain. It included new empirical material on language use, educational experiences, labour market entry, political incorporation, and cultural behaviour. There was a widespread process of assimilation under way in each of the three countries, alongside the maintenance of cultural and religious identities associated with parents' country of birth.
Source: Roger Penn and Paul Lambert, Children of International Migrants in Europe: Comparative perspectives, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Summary | Lancaster University press release
Date: 2009-Aug
The government began consultation on a new points-based test for citizenship. Migrants would be awarded points for building up different attributes and skills – such as economic contributions, and skills and English language proficiency above the level already expected. Points could be removed and citizenship withheld or delayed for those breaking the law or committing anti-social behaviour.
Source: Earning the Right to Stay: A new points test for citizenship, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Home Office press release | NIACE press release | Telegraph report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Aug
A report (by an official advisory body) said that the earnings thresholds for gaining points under the immigration system should be raised, that jobs should be advertised within the United Kingdom for longer, and that the arrangements for intra-company transfers should be strengthened.
Source: Analysis of the Points Based System: Tier 2 and dependants, Migration Advisory Committee (020 8604 6027)
Links: Report | Home Office press release | TUC press release | BBC report | FT report | Guardian report | Telegraph report | Local Government Chronicle report | People Management report | Personnel Today report
Date: 2009-Aug
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on human trafficking.
Source: The Trade in Human Beings: Human Trafficking in the UK – Government Reply to the Sixth Report from the Home Affairs Committee, Cm 7693, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2009-Aug
A think-tank report said that an increasing number of immigrants were staying for a short time and then leaving. Immigrants spending less than four years in the United Kingdom doubled between 1996 and 2007; and 85 per cent of migrants currently in the UK who took part in a survey said that they were only planning to stay for a short time.
Source: Tim Finch, Maria Latorre, Naomi Pollard and Jill Rutter, Shall We Stay or Shall We Go? Re-migration trends among Britain's immigrants, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Summary | IPPR press release | PWC press release | Telegraph report | Guardian report | BBC report | People Management report
Date: 2009-Aug
A report by a committee of MPs said that further consideration needed to be given to the practical implementation of the new points-based system for managed migration – particularly in relation to the calibration of points, the shortage occupation lists, compliance responsibilities placed on sponsors, and the introduction of administrative review.
Source: Managing Migration: The points-based system, Thirteenth Report (Session 2008-09), HC 217, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Aug
A report said that refugees want to repay the United Kingdom for the opportunity to build a new life: but that unemployment, poor English, and a lack of knowledge about services available were hindering their full and active participation in society.
Source: Gareth Morrell, Refugee Rights and Responsibilities in the UK, Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK/School of Social Sciences/City University (020 7040 4596)
Links: Report | City University press release
Date: 2009-Jul
A report highlighted the 'devastating physical and emotional damage' caused by immigration detention, and called on the government to halt its plans to increase detention capacity.
Source: Amanda Shah and Adeline Trude, Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Experiences of immigration detention in the UK, Bail for Immigration Detainees (020 7247 3590)
Links: Report | BID press release
Date: 2009-Jul
A paper said that immigrants from the eight central and eastern European countries that joined the European Union in May 2004 were less likely to be claiming welfare benefits and less likely to be living in social housing than people born in the United Kingdom. They had made a positive contribution to the fiscal system, paying more in taxes than they received in direct and indirect public transfers (such as benefits, National Health Service healthcare and education).
Source: Christian Dustmann, Tommaso Frattini and Caroline Halls, Assessing the Fiscal Costs and Benefits of A8 Migration to the UK, Discussion Paper 18/09, Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration/University College London (020 7679 5888)
Links: Paper | CRAM press release | FT report
Date: 2009-Jul
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act was given Royal assent, following a third reading. The Act required all migrants to speak English and obey the law if they wanted to gain citizenship and stay permanently in the United Kingdom, while speeding up the path to citizenship for those who contributed to the community by being 'active citizens'. Full access to benefits and social housing was reserved for citizens and permanent residents.
Source: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 14 July 2009, columns 177-257, TSO
Links: Text of Act | Explanatory notes | Hansard | Home Office press release | UKBA press release
Date: 2009-Jul
A think-tank report examined migration flows during previous economic downturns, and drew lessons for the present. Total net immigration was likely to remain more stable than most people thought, casting doubt on the validity of 'buffer theory', which held that migrants returned home when the economy of a country contracted, thereby freeing up jobs for the non-immigrant population.
Source: Janet Dobson, Alan Latham and John Salt, On the Move? Labour migration in times of recession – What can we learn from the past?, Policy Network (020 7340 2200)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jul
A report examined destitution among asylum-seekers in a northern city (Leeds). It said that the numbers involved remained unacceptably high; and that families with children, and vulnerable adults, were unable to undertake paid employment or access benefits. The strain put on local voluntary and statutory agencies, combined with levels of anger and frustration among people living destitute for many years, was a real cause for concern.
Source: Hannah Lewis, Still Destitute: A worsening problem for refused asylum seekers, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (01904 627810)
Links: Report | Summary | JRCT press release | Inside Housing report | Womensgrid report
Date: 2009-Jul
A report said that around 400 000 'irregular' migrants living in the United Kingdom could benefit if a scheme were introduced to regularize their status, based on 5 years of crime-free residence. Regularization could add some £3 billion (or about 0.3 per cent) to national income.
Source: Ian Gordon, Kathleen Scanlon, Tony Travers and Christine Whitehead, Economic Impact on the London and UK Economy of an Earned Regularisation of Irregular Migrants to the UK, Greater London Authority (020 7983 4100)
Links: Report | Summary | UKBA press release | Migration Watch press release | Telegraph report | BBC report | FT report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Jun
A report examined how housing associations could better meet the housing needs of refugees and of other new migrant communities.
Source: John Perry, Opening Doors: Improving housing services for refugees and new migrants, Chartered Institute of Housing (024 7685 1700) and Housing Associations Charitable Trust
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jun
A think-tank report examined the implications of increasing migration to rural areas, looking in particular at the economics of this phenomenon. It explored the roles migrants were playing, the economic impacts of migration on existing populations and businesses, and what future migratory trends might be. In particular, it considered whether recent migration had led to any risks for rural economies; and if so, how these risks could be managed.
Source: Laura Chappell, Maria Latorre, Jill Rutter and Jaideep Shah, Migration and Rural Economies: Assessing and addressing risks, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report | Summary | IPPR press release
Date: 2009-Jun
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill was given a second reading. The Bill would require all migrants to speak English and obey the law if they wanted to gain citizenship and stay permanently in the United Kingdom, while speeding up the path to citizenship for those who contributed to the community by being 'active citizens'. Full access to benefits and social housing would be reserved for citizens and permanent residents.
Source: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL], Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 2 June 2009, columns 169-240, TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard | HOC research brief
Date: 2009-Jun
A report said that migrant care workers were facing 'widespread discrimination in pay and working conditions' and hostility from some older people, despite the sector's increasing dependence on them.
Source: Alessio Cangiano, Isabel Shutes, Sarah Spencer and George Leeson, Migrant Care Workers in Ageing Societies: Research findings in the United Kingdom, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society/University of Oxford (01865 274711)
Links: Report | Summary | Oxford University press release | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Jun
A report by a committee of MPs said that the government had made 'significant progress' in the management of asylum applications: but that it still had some way to go to meet its aims of reaching initial decisions in 80 per cent of cases within two months of an application, and of concluding all cases within six months.
Source: Management of Asylum Applications, Twenty-eighth Report (Session 2008-09), HC 325, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | UKBA press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Jun
A report for the equal rights watchdog examined the available information about the inequalities that migrant workers and their families faced. It examined the impact of changing migration policy, analyzed recent statistical data, and presented evidence about migrants' experiences of a range of public services. It put forward a set of recommendations to address the inequalities that migrants experienced.
Source: Eleonore Kofman, Sue Lukes, Alessio D'Angelo and Nicola Montagna, The Equality Implications of Being a Migrant in Britain, Research Report 19, Equality and Human Rights Commission (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-May
A report for the equality and human rights watchdog said that policies aimed at improving the quality of life for immigrants should be an integral part of Scotland's growth strategy.
Source: Sarah Kyambi, Room for Manoeuvre? The options for addressing immigration-policy divergence between Holyrood and Westminster, Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-May
A report examined the extent of destitution among asylum-seekers, refused asylum-seekers, and refugees. Almost half (48 per cent) of visits to refugee charities were from people who were destitute, and the majority of those were people whose claims had been refused. Many had been destitute for longer than six months.
Source: Kate Smart, The Second Destitution Tally: An indication of the extent of destitution among asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees, Asylum Support Partnership c/o Refugee Council (020 7820 3042)
Links: Report | Refugee Council press release
Date: 2009-May
A report by a committee of MPs said that the government was not doing enough to tackle the illegal trade in men, women, and children from abroad into exploitation in the United Kingdom in prostitution, the drugs trade, and other forms of illegal labour including domestic servitude.
Source: The Trade in Human Beings: Human trafficking in the UK, Sixth Report (Session 2008-09), HC 23, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | ECPAT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-May
A report by a committee of MPs examined the Draft (Partial) Immigration and Citizenship Bill, published by the Home Office in July 2008. It said that the basic principle that those who wished to become British citizens should contribute to British society was 'uncontroversial', and that the concept of 'active citizenship' was essentially a fair one. However, the principle needed to be applied in a fair and proportionate manner, and in a way which did not discriminate against vulnerable groups.
Source: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL], Fifth Report (Session 2008-09), HC 425, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Apr
The human rights watchdog in Northern Ireland examined the work of the United Kingdom Border Agency in Northern Ireland. It considered the extent to which human rights were protected in the decision to detain individuals who were not nationals of the UK, and how those detained could have their rights better protected. It highlighted a range of human rights concerns.
Source: Nazia Latif and Agnieszka Martynowicz, Our Hidden Borders: The UK Border Agency's powers of detention, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (028 9024 3987)
Links: Report | NIHRC press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Apr
A study investigated the impact of economic fluctuations on the migrant stocks and flows in the United Kingdom. The stock of migrants depended on the speed of reaction to economic events and the net flow of migrants. Projections by the Office for National Statistics for years after 2015 were 'probably too large'. There should be a downward revision to migrant projections of around 360,000 by 2015 as a result of the global economic downturn, reducing trend growth by 0.1-0.15 per cent per year until 2015.
Source: Projections of Migration Inflows Under Alternative Scenarios for the UK and World Economies, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Apr
The children's watchdog for England called for an end to the practice of arresting and detaining children and young people before they were deported due to an unsuccessful asylum or immigration claim.
Source: The Arrest and Detention of Children Subject to Immigration Control, Office of the Children's Commissioner (0844 8009113)
Links: Report | Summary | OCC press release | Refugee Council press release | Childrens Society press release | BBC report | Community Care report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Apr
A report said that levels of net lifetime migration to and from the United Kingdom in the previous two centuries had largely been determined by UK fertility levels.
Source: Danny Dorling, Migration: A long-run perspective, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Apr
An interim report examined the economic impact on London and the United Kingdom of an earned regularization of illegal immigrants.
Source: Ian Gordon, Kathleen Scanlon, Tony Travers and Christine Whitehead, Economic Impact on London and the UK of an Earned Regularisation of Irregular Migrants in the UK: Interim Report, Greater London Authority (020 7983 4100)
Links: GLA press release | BBC press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Mar
A paper published by the equality and human rights watchdog said that immigration had been largely beneficial to the United Kingdom's economy and had had little, or no, negative impact on the labour market: but less-skilled workers were likely to face greater competition from immigrants during the economic recession.
Source: Will Somerville and Madeleine Sumption, Immigration and the Labour Market: Theory, evidence and policy, Equality and Human Rights Commission (020 3117 0235)
Links: Report | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Mar
An article examined the attitudes and strategies of an employer as it developed its use of migrant labour. Terms and conditions of employment of the latter remained 'wedded to the bottom' of the labour market.
Source: Robert MacKenzie and Chris Forde, 'The rhetoric of the 'good worker' versus the realities of employers' use and the experiences of migrant workers', Work, Employment and Society, Volume 23 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Mar
A think-tank report examined the impact of migration from new European Union countries on job markets in two English cities, Bristol and Hull. There was no evidence yet of a mass exodus of migrant workers, following the economic downturn. European Union migrants and the recently unemployed were now competing for fewer jobs, and previously 'hard-to-fill' jobs were now in demand.
Source: Catherine Glossop and Faiza Shaheen, Accession to Recession: A8 migration in Bristol and Hull, Centre for Cities (020 7803 4300)
Links: Report | Centre for Cities press release | Personnel Today report | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Mar
A report examined the living conditions and survival strategies of destitute asylum-seekers. Although many asylum-seekers slept on the streets, they were not included in official homelessness statistics. Most were not eligible for housing or benefits, and they were not allowed to work. Many had suffered physical and sexual attacks.
Source: Diane Taylor, Underground Lives, PAFRAS (0113 262 2163)
Links: Report | Guardian report | Church Times report
Date: 2009-Mar
A report examined the experiences of children seeking asylum. It said that the United Kingdom Border Agency was routinely flouting its new code of practice designed to safeguard children.
Source: Does Every Child Matter? Children seeking asylum in Britain, Refugee and Migrant Justice (020 7780 3200)
Links: Report | Summary | RMJ press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Mar
A paper examined the United Kingdom border strategy, focusing on three priority areas – people movement controls, drug trafficking controls, anti-terrorism controls.
Source: Frank Gregory, UK Border Security: Issues, systems and recent reforms, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Paper
Date: 2009-Mar
The Court of Appeal overturned a High Court decision giving access to free hospital treatment for failed asylum-seekers who had been in the United Kingdom for a long time.
Source: YA, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Health, Court of Appeal 30 March 2009
Links: Text of judgement | Refugee Council press release | Refugee Action press release | FPH press release | BMA press release | BBC report | Community Care report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Mar
An article examined estimates of the population by country of birth and nationality (published In August 2008). The proportion of the population born outside the United Kingdom had increased from an estimated 5.2 million in 2004 to 6.3 million in 2007, an increase of 21 per cent.
Source: Amy Ellis, 'UK resident population by country of birth', Population Trends 135, Spring 2009, Office for National Statistics, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Article
Date: 2009-Mar
The government published a progress report on the commitments made in June 2008 to support local areas to manage the impact of migration on their communities. It also outlined new government support on migration issues; and it considered how the impact of migration on local communities, and the government's response to it, had changed in the context of the economic downturn.
Source: Managing the Impacts of Migration: Improvements and innovations, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Date: 2009-Mar
A think-tank report examined the existing evidence on the effects of migration on the labour market. The overall effects of migration on wages were either insignificantly different from zero, or slightly positive. The evidence base on the effects of migration on employment, though relatively thin, suggested that the effects were not significantly different from zero. All effects noted were very small.
Source: Howard Reed and Maria Latorre, The Economic Impacts of Migration on the UK Labour Market, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Feb
A think-tank report questioned the utility of selective immigration policies, such as the United Kingdom's new points-based system, that were designed to attract 'useful' migrants while keeping unwanted migrants out.
Source: Elena Jurado and Annie Bruzzone, Rethinking Migration: Work and welfare in a mobile economy, Policy Network (020 7340 2200)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jan
An article examined the impact on the economy of the flow of workers from ten east European countries after their accession to the European Union. There was evidence that those most susceptible to competition from these workers had seen weaker wage inflation. The presence of foreign workers had increased the fear of unemployment and helped to contain wage pressure. The inflow of workers had increased supply by more than it had raised demand and, thus, had the effect of reducing both inflationary pressures and the natural rate of unemployment.
Source: David Blanchflower and Chris Shadforth, 'Fear, unemployment and migration', Economic Journal, Volume 119 Issue 535
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jan
A new book examined contemporary claims about race and migration, such as those relating to levels of immigration, the contribution of immigrants, minority self-segregation, ghettoization, and the future diversity of the population. It said that myths about race and migration were the real threat to an integrated society, rather than diversity and mobility themselves.
Source: Nissa Finney and Ludi Simpson, 'Sleepwalking to Segregation'? Challenging myths about race and migration, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary | Manchester University press release
Date: 2009-Jan
The immigration minister said that the Geneva convention on refugees should be reviewed, on the grounds that it predated mass migration and led to abuse of the asylum system.
Source: Comments by Phil Woolas MP (Minister for Borders and Immigration), reported in The Guardian, 10 January 2009
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2009-Jan
A report examined the effect that the economic downturn was likely to have on migrant labour. It said that a shortage of skilled care workers could disrupt services, damage society's ability to care properly for vulnerable people, and increase local authority costs.
Source: The Impact of the Recession on Migrant Labour, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000)
Links: Report | LGA press release
Date: 2009-Jan
A new book compared immigration policies in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. Although labour market needs had been an important element in the development of immigration policy, they had been filtered through a political process.
Source: Martin Schain, Immigration Policy and the Politics of Immigration: A comparative study, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Jan
An article examined the effects of immigration on the service achievements of English local authorities between 2006 and 2007, and citizen satisfaction in 2006. The statistical results suggested that high levels of worker migration from the new European Union ('A8') countries were associated with lower service performance: but that this negative relationship might be moderated by prior experience of dealing with European immigrants.
Source: Rhys Andrews, George Boyne, Kenneth Meier, Laurence O'Toole and Richard Walker, 'EU accession and public service performance', Policy & Politics, Volume 37 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jan
An audit report said that a new system introduced in 2006 to achieve faster conclusions to asylum applications had strengthened aspects of the asylum process: but it was not yet working to its optimum efficiency and effectiveness.
Source: Management of Asylum Applications by the UK Border Agency, HC 124 (Session 2008-09), National Audit Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Summary | NAO press release | UKBA press release | Refugee Council press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Jan
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill was published. The Bill would require all migrants to speak English and obey the law if they wanted to gain citizenship and stay permanently in the United Kingdom, while speeding up the path to citizenship for those who contributed to the community by being 'active citizens'. Full access to benefits and social housing would be reserved for citizens and permanent residents.
Source: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL], Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Home Office press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Jan