Polish Migration to the UK

POLISH MIGRATION TO THE UK 

Who?

Around 120,000 migrant came to the UK from Poland between 2004-2006 (It was a 2004 A8 country). They have tended to be:

-Young

- Economically Active

-Seasonal Agricultrual Workers (SAWS) (eg, 30% of salmon processing is done by migrant males in the Scottish Highlands)

-Filling jobs in construction

Why?

PUSH

-Social insecurity in Poland  -35% unemployment   -40% youth unemployment , 20% over whole population demographic -Cuts in the public sector  -Real time drop in wages   -Housing shortage: only 300 per 1000 people (2004)

PULL

-Benefits of the NHS and child benefits - the NHS spent £350M on foreign mother births: once they work for 12 months entilted to all benfits

-Earn 4x as much: a months' wages in a week

-Fewer resitrictions after A8: the UK has unusually low boarder controls (at the time!)

-Better standards of living and work place health and safety

-High Purchasing Parity of the Pound

-Scottish Council Recruiting Agency gave incentives to come to the UK

Impacts 

ON THE UK

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