National Research

From Equality South West

September 2010

The Migrant Journey

(Home Office, September 2010)

This Home Office paper reviews statistics around the number of migrants coming to the UK by immigration route.

To view the report click here: The Migrant Journey

March 2010

The Limits to Limits: Is a cap on immigration a viable policy for the UK?

(Institute for Public Policy Research, March 2010)

This brief paper looks at the feasibility of introducing a cap on the immigration of skilled non-European Union workers to the UK. It sets out some of the pitfalls of introducing a cap and advises that the policy could be unworkable. It proposes an alternative around setting a target level for net immigration.

To view the report click here: The Limit to Limits

July 2009

Social Housing Allocation and Immigrant Communities

(Equality and Human Rights Commission, July 2009)

In contrast to widespread media reports to the contrary this report found that migrants receive no preferential treatment in terms of social housing allocation. Based on a survey of 50 selected local authority social housing allocation policies and focus groups held among the majority communities in different parts of England, the report examines social housing allocation across the country and finds that less than 2% of social. The report finds that local authority myth busting exercises are unlikely to work and calls instead for a new way of debating migration linked to the promotion of diversity.

To read the report click here: EHRC Report

June 2009

Migration and Rural Communities: Assessing and Addressing Risks

(Institute for Public Policy Research, June 2009)

This report looks at the impact of migration on rural businesses and populations and examines whether migration has brought any risks to rural economies.

To read the report click here: Migration

Migrant Care Workers in Ageing Societies

(ESRC Centre on Migration Policy Studies, June 2009)

Examines the role of migrant workers in the UK social care sector. It explores: i) the factors determining the current and future demand for migrant workers in the care of older people; ii) the implications of employing migrant care workers for the quality of care; and iii) the experiences of migrants employed in the care sector, including their relationships with care users.

To read a copy of the report please click here: ESRC Report

For the Executive Summary click here: Executive Summary

May 2009

Economic Impact on the London and UK Economy of an Earned Regularisation of Irregular Migrants to the UK

(London School of Economics for the Greater London Assembly, May 2009)

This report looks at the benefits of an earned regularisation process for irregular migrants and assesses the impact such a scheme could have on public services, tax receipts, administration and housing.

To read the summary report click here: London Summary Report

To read the full report click here: London Full Report

Vulnerable Migrant Workers: The Responsibility of Business - An Overview and Comparative Analysis of Food Production, Manufacture and Retail Companies

(The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility, May 2009)

Examines the policies and practices of nine UK and Irish food production, manufacture and retail companies in relation to migrant workers. The report looks, in particular, at the extent to which some of the UK's main supermarkets are addressing possible exploitation of migrants by their suppliers. It ranks each employer by the strength of their procedures and puts forward a series of recommendations.

To read the report or Executive Summary click here: Executive Summary

An ESW summary is available here: Vulnerable Migrant Workers

Irregular Migrants: The Urgent Need for a New Approach

(Migrant Rights Network, May 2009)

This report examines irregular migration and possible impacts on the economy and public services of introducing programmes to give irregular migrants legal status in the UK. It examines regularisation programmes in other countries and explores options for regularisation in the UK. To read the report click here: Migrant Rights Network

Irregular Migration: An IPPR Update

(Institute for Public Policy Research, May 2009)

This brief report looks specifically at irregular migrants, i.e. migrants who may be living and/or working in the UK outside the law. It examines estimates of their numbers, the costs and benefits of irregular migration and government policy towards irregular migrants. To read the report please see: Irregular Migration

Social Networks and Polish Immigration to the UK

(Institute for Public Policy Research, May 2009)

Analyses the role that social networks have played in enabling Polish workers, the largest group of Eastern European migrants to have come to the UK since 2004, to access employment. The report suggests that while social networks have played a crucial role in ensuring high employment rate of Polish workers, there is a danger that these migrant workers may become locked in "low-skilled" jobs and find it difficult to integrate with the British economy and society. To read the report please see: Social Networks

April 2009

Migration: A Long-run Perspective

(Institute for Public Policy Research, April 2009)

Acknowledging the inadequacy of short-term migration statistics when predicting medium and long-run trends, this paper looks at how people come to and leave England and Wales over the course of their lifetime. To read the report click here:Migration

The Equality Implications of Being a Migrant in Britain

(Middlesex University for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2009)

The report reviews the evidence available regarding the inequalities migrants face in Britain today, in relation to human rights and the various equality strands. It explores inequality in terms of accessing employment, housing, health, social services, education, law and financial support as well as experiences of harassment and violence faced by many migrants. To read the report please see: Equality Implications

March 2009

Immigration in the United Kingdom: The Recession and Beyond

(Migration Policy Institute for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, March 2009)

This report provides a baseline for policy makers to calibrate their immigration policy responses to the economic downturn. It analyses the impact of the current recession on immigration trends. To read the report please see: Immigration in the United Kingdom

Immigration and the Labour Market: Theory, Evidence and Policy

(Migration Policy Institute for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, March 2009)

This report, which reviews literature primarily literature which is primarily US-focused, analyses the impact of immigration on the labour market in the short and medium term. To read the report please see: Immigration and the Labour Market

February 2009

The Economic Impacts of Migration on the UK Labour Market

(Institute for Public Policy Research, February 2009)

This report, which forms part of the Institute for Public Policy's Economics of Migration project, looks at the impact of migration on the wages and employment of workers in the UK at both national and regional level. The research found that the impact, even in the short-term, of the sudden influx of migrants from the EU which has occurred since 2004 has actually been very small. The report includes a literature review of theory and past evidence as well as IPPR's own research findings.

To read the report click here: The Economic Impacts of Migration

January 2009

The Potential of Migrant and Refugee Community Organisations to Influence Policy

(Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2009)

A report on the Change from Experience project- a partnership set up to explore the ways in which migrant community organisations can change policies and practices that impact on their communities. The report examines the experiences of the partners involved including the methods and processes adopted and what did and did not work.

To read the report click here: http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/migrant-refugee-community-organisations-influence

Empowering Birmingham's Migrant and Refugee Community Organisations

(Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2009)

Examines ways in which migrant community organisations can be supported to collect evidence from their communities which will influence public policy. The report exlo0res the support offered to such community groups in the West Midlands and examines the scope of capacity building work to develop skills, relationships and policy engagement.

To read the report click here: http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/migrant-refugee-community-organisations

December 2008

Building a New Home: Migration in the UK Construction Sector

(Institute for Public Policy Research, December 2008)

This report examines the role of migrant workers in the construction industry including the impact on the existing workforce and on the performance of the sector. It uses the role of migrant workers in the construction of the 2012 Olympic facilities as a case study and argues that government policy should recognise the vital role migrant workers play in filling vacancies. The report can be found here: Migrant_Workers_in_Construction

October 2008

No place like home? Addressing the issues of housing and migration

(Shelter, October 2008)

This discussion document contrasts the perceptions held by many members of the general public about the migrants have to housing to what is actually happening on the ground. It looks at the impact that immigration and benefit regulations are having on migrants needing to access housing. To read the discussion document please see: Discussion_Document Discussion_Document Discussion_Document Discussion_Document Discussion_Document Discussion_Document

Home from Home: Addressing the Issues of Migrant Workers' Housing

(Building and Social Housing Foundation, 2008)

This report is based on an in-depth consultation of stakeholders across the country. The report concludes with a series of recommendations to address the accommodation needs of migrant workers and to develop systems that respond to future migration. To read the report please see: Home_from_Home

September 2008

Your Place or Mine? The Local Economics of Migration

(Institute for Public Policy Research, September 2008)

This paper analyses the impact of migration on local economies and goes beyond the more obvious impacts such as the reduction in local skills gaps to examine hidden benefits such as the boost migration may provide to local markets. It divides the impacts of migration on local areas into three areas: Skills effects; Diversity effects &; Size effects. To read this paper please see: Impact_on_location

July 2008

A Need for Migrant Labour? The Micro-Level Determinants of Staff Shortages and Implication for a Skills Based Immigration Policy

(Bridget Anderson & Martin Ruhs, ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), Oxford University, July 2008)

This academic study designed to inform the government's Migration Advisory Committee, analyses the need for migrant workers across the UK economy as a whole. It looks beyond the arguments of employers and the overall supply and demand for labour to look at how circumstances in particular sectors impact on demand. The report is informed by seven sectoral reports which can be found through the same weblink, please see here: Weblink

A summary is available here: Short Summary

The Role of Migrant Workers in the Food and Drink Manufacturing Industry

(Research for Improve: the Food and Drink Sector Skills Council, July 2008)

This report includes summaries of the findings by each section of the Food and Drink sector. The report found that the number of migrant workers within the sector has started to fall with serious implications for the sustainability of businesses. Improve have since called for a debate on the importance of migrant workers to the sector following the report's findings which can be found by clicking here: Report_Findings

June 2008

Community Cohesion and Migration: Tenth Report of Session 2007-08

(Communities and Local Government Committee, House of Commons, June 2008)

This report looks at the impact of migration on community cohesion. The report cites the importance of English language provision and points out that demand for such courses among migrants is far outstripping supply. The report raises concerns about the government's decision to end full fee remission for English language students and the lack of national data on levels of unmet demand and the types of learners accessing courses. To read the report please see:http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmcomloc/369/369i.pdf

May 2008

Hard Work Hidden Lives

(TUC Commission on Vulnerable Employment, May 2008)

This is the final report of the Commission which includes members from trade union, employer, academic and civil society backgrounds. The report examines how workers become vulnerable and why government legislation does not prevent exploitation. Migrant Workers are citied as being particularly vulnerable in part due to current immigration regulations. It concludes with recommendations for government, trade unions, employers and civil society. The full report can be read here:http://www.vulnerableworkers.org.uk/files/CoVE_full_report.pdf

For more information and access to the short report and introduction click here: http://www.vulnerableworkers.org.uk/2008/05/full-report-of-the-commission-released/

April 2008

Floodgates or Turnstiles

(Institute for Public Policy Research, April 2008)

This national report by the Institute of Public Policy Research has found evidence that migrant workers from Poland (who constitute roughly three quarters of the region's migrant workers according to NINO data) are returning home and looking for other destinations for work besides the UK. This report can be found by clicking here: Public_Policy_Research

The Economic Impact of Immigration

(House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs April 2008)

This report concludes the work of the House of Lords Select Committee in analysing the economic impact of net immigration and is based on submissions by the government, businesses, trade unions and leading academics. The report is sceptical of the value of net immigration at its current levels. You can read the report by clicking the link available here: Net_Immigration_Report

See also the government response which criticises the reports findings by clicking here: Government_Response

See also Equality South West summary of report and the government's response: Economic Impact of Immigration

Immigration and social cohesion in the UK: The rhythms and realities of everyday life

(Mary Hickman, Helen Crowley and Nick Mai, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2008)

Explores the relationship between immigration and social cohesion through research in six areas of the UK. The report found that policies to encourage cohesion need to deal inequalities, deprivation and discrimination, as well as the relationships between people, if they are to have any effect. Policies on cohesion should promote both the value of cultural diversity and the value of shared norms. This report is available here: Social_Cohesion_Report

December 2007

Migrant Workers in the Labour Market: the role of unions in the recognition of skills and qualifications

(Miguel Martinez Lucio, Robert Perrett, Jo McBride & Steve Craig, Union Learn, December 2007)

The report examines the underutilization of the skills of migrant workers. It notes the support trade unions are providing to migrant workers in terms of English language support and employment rights and raises concerns about the lack of awareness that many employers have of issues around the recognition of overseas qualifications. To read the full report go to: http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/files/publications/documents/123.pdf

For more information go to: http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/publications/index.cfm?frmPubID=116

November 2007

A Resource Guide on Local Migration Statistics

(Warwick Institute for Employment Research for the Local Government Association, November 2007)

A guide to help local authorities and their partners to develop local migration estimates. It provides a critique of survey and administrative data and reviews other possible sources from the local public, voluntary and private sectors. To read this guide please see: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=1308025

October 2007

Estimating the Scale and Impacts of Migration at a Local Level

Local Government Association October 2007)

This report analyses the impact of migration on local public services and is based on over 100 responses from local councils and public bodies. It includes a summary of local authority research reports and extracts by subject area. This report is available here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/01_11_07_immigration.pdf

The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Migration

(Home Office & Department for Work and Pensions, October 2007)

This report provided background information to the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs. It argues for the strong economic benefits of immigration to the UK. This report is available here: Economic_Affairs_Report

June 2007

Our Shared Future

(Commission for Integration & Cohesion, June 2007)

Provides practical solutions to building capacity locally to reduce community tensions and create opportunities for more integration. It includes a collection case studies of local good practice. This report is available by clicking here: Final_Report

January 2007

Crossing borders: Responding to the local challenges of migrant workers

(Audit Commission, January 2007)

A guide for local authorities, particularly those with limited past experience of migrant workers. It includes recommendations around partnership working and data sharing. This guide is available here: Local_Authorities_Guide

Migrant Workers and the Labour Market: Review of LSC Research on Labour Market Participation, Skills and Skills Provision for Migrant Workers

(Learning and Skills Council January 2007)

This report reviews four LSC research studies on migration covering the issues of stocks and inflows, skills, ESOL and employer perceptions of migrant workers. This report is available here: LSC_Research

Migrant's Lives Beyond the Workplace: the Experience of Central and East Europeans in the UK

(Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2007)

This report looks at the experience of migrants in relation to access to information, advice and English classes, accommodation, leisure time, social contact with British people and long-term intentions. It is based on a survey of mire than 600 migrants working in the UK. The report is available here: Joseph_Rowntree_Report

December 2006

Employer Perceptions of Migrant Workers

(Learning and Skills Council Dec 2006)

This report found that employers perceptions of migrant workers can come under one of three categories: i) 'reluctants'; ii) 'advocates'; or iii) 'pragmatists', with the majority coming under the latter category. The employers contacted generally felt that migrant workers filled an 'attitude', rather than a 'skills' gap. This report is available here: Employer_Perceptions_Report

April 2006

EU Enlargement: Bulgaria and Romania - migration implications for the UK

(Institute for Public Policy Research April 2006)

This report assessed the likely scale of migration from Bulgaria and Romania prior to their accession to the EU in January 2007. This report is available here: Bulgaria_and_Romania_Report

Migrant Workers in England and Wales: An Assessment of Migrant Worker Health and Safety Risks

(Health and Safety Executive, London Metropolitan University 2006)

The report, based on interviews with 200 migrant workers, found that migrants are more likely to work in sectors and occupations with high health and safety risks and that their status as "new workers", often with little knowledge and experience of UK health and safety laws may put them at greater risk. This report is available here: HSE_Report

December 2005

Home from Home?: Experiences of Migrant Workers in Rural Parts of the UK, and the Impact on Local Service Providers

(Citizens Advice Bureau Dec 2005)

This reports looks at issues for migrant workers in rural areas in relation to employment, immigration, housing, benefits and community cohesion. This report is available by clicking here: Home_from_Home_Report

November 2005

Changing Patterns of Employment by Ethnic Group and for Migrant Workers

(Warwick Institute for Employment Research, Learning & Skills Council Nov 2005)

This report draws evidence from the Labour Force Survey, Working Futures projections and the 2001 census. This report is available here: Changing_Patterns_of_Employment_Report