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Global population movement

Globalisation has led to increased levels of population movement around the world, particularly in terms of refugees and migrant workers. The percentage share of migrants in the populations of high-income countries rose from 4.4 % in 1960 to 11.4 % in 2005 [1].

In Britain, levels of migration are the highest in history due to rapid migration from the new Eastern European EU member states, although large numbers are now starting to return home. There are also increasing numbers of Britains emigrating. This ‘churn’ is unique to the UK.

What are the implications?

• Migration impacts on the performance of the UK economy and the labour market .
• Increased international migration will led to greater cultural and ethnic diversity in the UK.
• Failure to recognise cultural diversity and develop policies that encourage the respect of differences could lead to a rise in identity politics.
• Rapid immigration and inaccurate statistics that underestimate the true number of migrant workers may put pressure for funding for public services.
• Migration can put public services under pressure, with an assumption that the VCS will fill the gaps. (See public service delivery).
• Funding available to the VCOs that work with immigrants may no longer be the priorities. (See priorities for public spending).
• New immigrants are often quite poor, which may exacerbate social-economic inequalities.
• Global migration can open up a new talent pool to VCOs.

Moving forward

Increased diversity may mean it becomes more important to consider the broader social impacts of your organisation’s activities.

• What is your relationship with other groups and communities? Could this be improved?
• There is a continued need for open forums and cross-community initiatives; can your organisation play a role in these?
• What impact does diversity have on the accessibility of your services? For example, are you able to deliver your products and services in a number of languages?
• As competition for skills increases, is your organisation able to take advantage of the global talent pool by attracting new migrants or workers from overseas? 

Migration may put pressure on funding for public services

• What strategies can your organisation put in place now to manage a future reduction in funding?

Migration and an under-estimation of the true number of migrants may put pressure on public services and how they are funded, leaving VCOs to fill in the gaps. Starting to deliver public services or expanding those your organisation delivers already is a strategic choice for each organisation.

• Is your organisation ready to deliver public services?
• How will it change your relationship with your stakeholders? Or the way you deliver your services?

Want to know more?

Migration: Immigration over half a million

Published by: Office for National Statistics - a Government Department

Date: 2007

Format: Web

What is it? A statistical analysis of international migration to and from the UK.

How useful is this? A short but useful source of statistics on international migration including: levels over recent years; breakdown by EU membership; routes to enter the UK; and reasons for migration.

Other comments:

Floodgates or turnstiles? Post-EU enlargement migration flows to (and from) the UK

Published by: IPPR – a left of centre think tank

Date: 2008

Format: PDF

What is it? A report discussing immigration to the UK from new EU members.

How useful is this? This report discusses immigration into the UK from the EU countries that joined in 2004, particularly from Poland. The report identifies that unlike economic migrants from some other regions, those from the new members of the EU are more likely to return to their home countries to visit and are to return permanently after a relatively brief stay in the UK.

Other comments:

Supporting migrant workers in rural areas

Published by: Citizens Advice Bureau – a charity providing free information and support

Date: 2005

Format: PDF

What is it? A guide to Citizen Advice Bureaux initiatives supporting migrant workers in rural areas.

How useful is this? Although targeted at Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) this report provides transferable insights and good practice that may be useful for other organisations.  This article explores the challenges to the providers of services in rural areas based on the experience of CABs.  Challenges are split into: communications; availability of advice; management of bureau business; challenges for staff/volunteers; changing nature of problems.  The report considers the effects of these challenges for CAB and initiatives set up to overcome them.

Other comments:

Brits Abroad: Mapping the scale and nature of British emigration

Published by: IPPR – a left of centre think tank

Date: 2006

Format: PDF (executive summary, full publication available to purchase)

What is it? The executive summary of a report looking at emigration from the UK, including emigration statistics and findings.

How useful is this? Although only the executive summary is available free online, useful information is included on the numbers of Britons living abroad, where they live, who they are and their motivations.  It considers the role of identity and technology and ends by discussing what emigration patterns will look like in the future.  More information including statistics and case studies is available at: www.bbc.co.uk/britsabroad.

Other comments:

References

1. World Bank [back]