Three reports have been published today by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on the effects of migration to Britain. The first report examined the effects of migration on neighbourhood relationships in Manchester and London, whilst the other two focused on the experiences of East European migrants to the UK.

The first report found that poverty can undermine neighbourhood relationships between migrants and British people. Yet the report also showed that many residents – new and established – aspired to a sense of community, valued diversity and shared many of the same concerns about their areas.

The research found that local tensions, sometimes racialised and often targeted at new migrants, were driven by struggles for resources and perceptions of unfairness. Age and gender also seemed to be factors in bringing about tensions in local relations.

The findings of the reports on East European migration make a strong case for including economic migrants in social and community cohesion strategies, even when their stay is expected to be temporary. Less than half of migrants had received practical information on arrival. This left many ignorant of the conditions attached to their immigration status, how to access health care, and what their legal rights at work are.

Overall, the immigrants interviewed were in the UK to work and had been successful in finding employment. However, many migrants’ experiences at work, which included working long hours or low pay, had a major impact on their lives beyond the workplace, restricting opportunities to improve their English or mix with British people.

Migrants found British people to be “polite but distant”. Many said they felt a sense of belonging to both the UK and their home country, but much less so to their local neighbourhoods (although this seemed to improve over time).

JRF Director Julia Unwin said:
“Next month will see the publication of the findings from the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. These three reports suggest that the government should value migrants as more than simply an economic resource and must continue to place importance on ensuring their integration into wider British society, even when their stay is expected to be temporary.”

The three reports form part of the JRF’s Immigration and Inclusion programme which seeks to provide evidence of what is happening in local areas affected by immigration – from the perspective of both newcomers and long-term residents.

For more information visit the JRF’s website.