Immigration to the UK Overview

Immigration to the UK

• Net migration to the UK was +327,000 in 2016 and +246,000 in 2017.
• The UK's economy is the 5th biggest in the world.
• The UK's decision to leave the European Union (Brexit) appears to be impacting Europeans' views on coming to the UK.

Push and Pull Factors of Immigration

• Push Factors are reasons why people might leave their home country (emigration).
  • Examples include famine, disease, lack of housing, and limited educational opportunities.
  • Push factors of the UK are a high cost of living, bad weather, and a lack of affordable housing.
• Pull Factors are reasons why people might be attracted to live in another country (immigration).
  • Examples include job opportunities, educational opportunities, and the presence of family or ethnic groups.
  • Pull factors of the UK include strong human rights protection, safety, and good healthcare and education systems.

Timeline of Immigration to the UK

• 43-410AD: Romans invaded, bringing the first black people from North Africa.
• 1555-1833: African and Afro-Caribbean people arrived due to Britain's involvement in the slave trade.
• 1700s: Many Indians arrived due to the British Empire's expansion and trading routes.
• 1840: Thousands of Irish arrived to escape the potato famine in Ireland.
• 1946: Refugees arrived from Eastern Europe after World War II.
• 1950s-1970s: Many West Indians arrived seeking work and to help rebuild Britain after the war.
• 1973: Britain joined the EU, opening up migration from other EU member states.
• 2004: Migration from Europe increased due to the expansion of the EU to include many Eastern European countries.
• 2016: The UK held a referendum to leave the EU (Brexit), with 52% voting to leave.

Top 10 Countries of Birth for Immigrants in the UK (2011 Census)

• India: 722,000
• Poland: 654,000
• Pakistan: 502,000
• Ireland: 468,000
• Germany: 300,000
• China: 284,000
• Bangladesh: 214,000
• South Africa: 203,000
• Nigeria: 201,000
• United States: 197,000

Impact of Brexit on Immigration

• Net migration of EU nationals to the UK has dropped by 75,000 since the Brexit referendum, a phenomenon known as "Brexodus."
• Immigration from EU countries has fallen by another 50,000 since the referendum.

Positive Impacts of Immigration

• Immigration helps fill job vacancies and skill gaps in sectors like computing and dentistry.
• Sectors like health and social care rely on overseas-trained workers.
• Immigration encourages economic growth by providing young workers to fill job roles, pay taxes, and support the aging population.

Negative Impacts of Immigration

• A supply of cheap labor may lead to exploitation of workers and depressed wages.
• Large-scale migration can put strain on public services like schools and hospitals.
• The movement of people can cause community tensions and integration problems.

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

• Asylum seekers are individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries.
• Each country has its own process for verifying asylum applications.
• Granting asylum allows someone to remain in another country due to persecution risk.
• Asylum seekers are granted refugee status and protected legal rights if their application is successful.

International Laws Supporting Asylum Applications

• The 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
• The 1950 European Convention on Human Rights
• The European Union Asylum Qualifications Directive

Asylum Application Process

• Screening Interview: Asylum seekers are given a refugee number.
• First Reporting Event: A Home Office case owner is assigned to the case.
• Substantive Interview: Asylum seekers present their case to the case owner.
• Regular Reporting Meetings: Applicants may be required to attend meetings with UK Border Agency staff. Some cases are reviewed through telephone reporting systems and electronic tagging.
• Claim Allowed: The asylum seeker is granted refugee status (5-year duration).
• Claim Refused: The asylum seeker is expected to leave the UK.
• Appeal Rights: Asylum seekers have the right to appeal a rejected claim to a first-tier tribunal. They can also make a fresh claim if new evidence surfaces.

British Identity and Culture

• The UK is a multicultural and multi-ethnic society.
• Tolerance, openness, and diversity define British society.
• Younger generations embrace diversity, while older generations are less accepting and may feel their cultural certainties are disappearing.

Components of Identity

• Politics
• Education
• Friends
• Work Colleagues
• Ethnicity
• Gender
• Sexuality
• Cultural Heritage
• Age
• Religion
• Family Traditions
• Social Background
• Job

Components of British Culture

• Origins and History of Britishness
• Social Status
• Language and Communication
• Family Life
• Beliefs and Practices
• Arts and Expressive Forms
• Food
• Recreational Leisure Activities
• Clothing Fashion