Case study: Immigration to UK from eastern Europe

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  • Created by: Hannah
  • Created on: 02-04-14 11:46

Case study: Immigration to UK from eastern Europe

Causes

  • In 2004 A8 countries were given the right of free movement into the UK, Sweeden and Ireland. This narrowed the choices of migrants
  • UK has a developed economy and provides many low-skilled jobs in the labour sector
  • The UK has a reputation for tolerance towards migrants
  • Worker Registration scheme allows migrants right of entry and the right to work
  • Cheap bus and air travel
  • There are already existing immigrant groups e.g. the Poles, provide community and cultural support for newcomers
  • Immigrant-friendly services such as 'Polish' UK bank accounts allowing remittances to be sent home
  • Unemployment in UK is higher than in Poland
  • GNI per capita in Poland was US$9,850 compared with US$40,660 in the UK

Effects

  • Loss of workforce in source countries
  • Brain drain and skills shortages in source countries
  • Ageing and reduced fertility in source countries as most migrants are male- imbalance in population structure
  • Some workers are exploited and are paid less than minimum wage
  • Remittances can be sent home to families- workers send 25% home
  • Skills can be taken back to home country
  • Social/cultural tensions in host country especially in rural areas with no history of immigration (xenophobia) in host country
  • A rise in low-level 'cultural unfamilliarity' crimes e.g. traffic offences in host country
  • Population growth- pressure on housing and can cause and increase in house prices in host country
  • Pressure on local schools and NHS in host country
  • Skills gap filled in host country e.g. farming in the Fens
  • Business opportunities for banks and supermarkets providing European food and services
  • Counteracts ageing if migrants have children

Overall summary

Eastern European migration to the UK has slowed since 2008 because  A8 countries were less badly hit by the global recession than the UK, unemployment increased in 2008-2010. Also the falling value of the UK pound has reduced the value of remittances sent home by A8 workers. In 2011 all EU countries must be fully open to A8 migration and many migrants will 'divert' to other countries.

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Romany.Carvell#

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