4.5.6

Migration

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Migration Pre-2000

In the twentieth century there were two peak periods of migration: 1930s to 1945, and 1950s to 1970’s.

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Push factors

  • Migration occurs through ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors.
  • Push factors are those that encourage people to leave their own country, such as escaping poverty, famine and war and unemployment and political persecution.
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Pull factors

  • Pull factors are those that attract people to a new country, such as better opportunities for jobs and higher wages, higher standards of living, healthcare and education, or more political and religious freedom or joining relatives.
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1930s to 1945

  • Several hundred thousand refugees fled to Britain from Europe to escape the effects of Nazi occupation and persecution.
  • Most of these immigrants were white.
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British Nationality Act

  • In 1945, the British government recognised that the economy needed migrant workers to fill the labour gap.
  • In 1948, The British Nationality Act granted Commonwealth citizens a British passport and the right to work in the UK.
  • The Act predominantly saw an influx of white European migrants.
  • Immigrant workers from the Caribbean, India and Pakistan also arrived for the first time with their families (the Windrush Generation).
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Commonwealth Immigrants Act

  • However, since the introduction of The Commonwealth Immigrants Act in 1962, a Commonwealth passport holder has to apply for a work permit.
  • This policy was once more adjusted in 1968 whereby only Commonwealth workers with parents/grandparents with British citizenship were able to work in the UK.
  • Refugees arrive in the UK from parts of the world experiencing civil unrest such as Pakistan. Estimates suggest that 83,000 immigrants have arrived in the UK from the Commonwealth since 1968.
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Diversity

  • The influx of non-white immigrants began to transform Britain into a more ethnically diverse country and by 2015 around 13 percent of the UK population were from black or minority ethnic groups.
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EU migration

  • In 1973, the UK joined the European Union (EU) whereby both immigration and emigration increased as a result of free movement.
  • Free movement enables any EU national to work and reside in any member state. Data published by the ONS shows that up to February 2020, 642,000 people Immigrated to the UK (immigration) and 402,000 people left (emigration).

Migration 2000s Onwards

During the 2000s, net migration increased rapidly, reaching its highest point in 2014-15. This has resulted in some anti-immigrant feeling in the UK despite the contributions migrants make to the country.

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Migration 2000s

  • During the 2000s, net migration has been increasing rapidly, reaching its highest point in 2014-15.
  • About 40 percent of immigrants during this time came from EU countries.
  • The largest group from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.
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The impact of migration since 2001

  • Citizens of EU countries have the right to live and work in any other EU countries, so long as they don’t represent a financial burden on the host nation.
  • Citizens of poorer EU countries, such as Bulgaria and Romania, are more likely to travel to richer countries (such as the UK) in search of work and higher living standards.
  • This has been a serious political issue since 2001 for a number of reasons.
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Anti-immigration parties

  • Growing fear and distrust of immigrants among some people and high levels of immigration has resulted in the creation and subsequent success of anti-immigration political parties, and may have contributed to the decision of the UK to leave the EU.
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Fear of immigrants

  • Fears about the weakening of national culture and identity, and the integration into British culture of immigrant communities who whose values might not be the same.
  • A fear that immigrant workers are undercutting wages.
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The contribution of migrant workers to the UK economy

  • Often, migrant workers take on jobs that British workers don’t want; without these workers the UK could face labour shortages in some areas.
  • Migrant workers play a key role in providing health and social care, for example, within the NHS and in care services for older people.
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Contribution cont.

  • Migrant workers contribute significantly more to the economy than they take in welfare benefits.
  • Migrants tend to be male, younger and of working age, reducing the dependency ratio and helping to support the dependent population.

Impact of Migration on Societies/Families

To plan effective social policy, the UK government needs accurate data on the population size and demographics of the country. The government also considers family size to plan future service provision, such as schools and hospitals.

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10 year census & ONS

  • The 10 year census gathers and the Office of National Statistics gathers most of this information.
  • The population size is mainly affected by the numbers of births, deaths, immigration and emigration.
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Illegal immigrants/undocumented workers

  • Increased immigration from EU member states affects society and it’s services.
  • Illegal immigrants or undocumented workers are attracted to the UK by improved living conditions and job opportunities. Some individuals are exploited by people-traffickers who may be looking for cheap labour. Employing illegal workers carries a penalty notice and possible prison sentence.
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Asylum seekers in the UK

  • Individuals escaping persecution in their own country may apply for asylum in the UK. They are known as asylum seekers.
  • In the year ending September 2019, the UK offered asylum to 19,480 people (gov.uk). This may affect services such as housing, money, healthcare and schools.
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Cultural diversity

  • Migration has prompted greater cultural diversity. Hybrid cultures have emerged through the blending of cultures through marriage and relationships.
  • An influx of migrants from Eastern Europe with typically larger families has brought an increase in birth rate to the UK.
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Beck, Beck-Gernsheim & Chambers

  • Beck, Beck-Gernsheim and Chambers argue that globalisation and migration have effected family dynamics: relationships may be maintained between different countries whilst individuals may also send money to their families in their home country whilst working in another. This may enable some to earn a higher wage than they would in their native country.

Jump to other topics

1Theory & Methods

2Education with Methods in Context

3Option 1: Culture & Identity

4Option 1: Families & Households

5Option 1: Health

6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare

7Option 2: Beliefs in Society

8Option 2: Global Development

9Option 2: The Media

10Crime & Deviance

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