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Migration and Integration in the West Midlands

Migration and Integration in the West Midlands. Tallinn - 19-22 October 2009 Clare Daley – WMSMP: c.daley@wmleadersboard.gov.uk Website: www.wmlga.gov.uk/wmsmp. Outline. Partnership role, structure & impacts Regional Social Inclusion Strategy Asylum dispersal & refugee integration in the UK

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Migration and Integration in the West Midlands

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  1. Migration and Integrationin the West Midlands Tallinn - 19-22 October 2009 Clare Daley – WMSMP:c.daley@wmleadersboard.gov.uk Website:www.wmlga.gov.uk/wmsmp

  2. Outline • Partnership role, structure & impacts • Regional Social Inclusion Strategy • Asylum dispersal & refugee integration in the UK • Regional refugee / migrant populations • Cohesion, integration & migration • Integration issues & responses

  3. WMSMP Role • Regional consortia set up in 2000 to oversee asylum dispersal & refugee integration in region • Became West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership (formerly WMSPARS) in June 2007 – also took on new migrant remit • Partnership consists of local authority, statutory, private, voluntary and community organisations from across West Midlands

  4. WMSMP Structure

  5. Influencing local strategies and plans Sharing and developing practice / procedures Facilitating co-ordination and collaboration Presenting local issues and responses nationally Providing information and policy interpretation Regional Impacts

  6. Regional Social Inclusion Strategy • Recognising the impact of poverty, inequality and discrimination • Addressing the challenges faced in refugee integration • Encouraging inclusion and mainstreaming of responses to refugee and asylum needs • Supporting refugees to play a full, active and equal part in the region Developed through a regional process of partner involvement, strategy group and consultation events and drafts Available at http://www.wmlga.gov.uk/Policy_Areas/Migration/Integration/Integration.aspx

  7. Information, Advice and Language Accommodation Health Children Adult Education and Training Employment Volunteering Media Community Cohesion Community Development Culture, Leisure and Sport Theme Areas

  8. Strategy Delivery & Review • Co-ordinated by WMSMP • Cross-sector Regional Implementation Groups (RIGs) take forward actions by theme – Cohesion, Media, Employment & Training, Children, Health, Housing, Women • Link with Regional Partnerships & Bodies, Public Services, Local Authorities & Strategic Partnerships, Voluntary Sector • Partnership review of achievements, outstanding and new actions, issues and policy context

  9. UK Asylum System • Dispersal areas: urban multi-cultural areas • Asylum dispersal on a no-choice basis, often to vacant property and areas of deprivation • Home Office contract asylum accommodation and provide basic support (2/3 income support) • Unaccompanied asylum seeking children supported by Local Authorities where arrive • People seeking sanctuary are not allowed to work and often live in poverty, fear and ill-health • New Asylum Model 2006; Case Resolution 2011

  10. Refugee Integration • On receipt of status, refugees have 28 days to find their own accommodation and support • Tend to settle in dispersal areas that have members of own cultural community • Refugees are able to access housing, services, employment and support like any UK Citizen • Refugees are often highly skilled and qualified and have contributed significantly to Region • New National Refugee Employment and Integration Services started – October 2008

  11. Regional Refugee Populations • WM refugee population estimated at over 76,000, over 1% of regional population • About 4350 asylum seekers currently supported by UKBA (plus UASCs & refused) • About half of regional refugee and asylum populations in Bham • Over 85 different languages and dialects spoken. Range of faiths and backgrounds. • The largest refugee groups are Somali, other African and Iraqi • Areas of dispersal and settlement mostly inner-city, disadvantaged and multicultural

  12. New Migration in West Midlands • Global, national & local changing migration patterns & movements • Dramatic increase in migrant workers in region following EU accession in 2004 • About 47,000 overseas nationals registered NINOs in region in 07/08; 13,000 in Bham • Largest populations in urban areas (Bham, Coventry) but largest growth in rural areas • Polish, Indian and Slovak biggest groups • Regional study on economicimpact of migrant workers • Migration Matters conference & report

  13. Integration • Highly contested term focused on refugees until recent CLG Migrant Integration Review • Recognition that two-way, long-term, dynamic and multi-dimensional but not in practice • Bias to functional rather than social integration • Tension between targeted & universal services • National ‘Integration Matters’ Strategy 2009 • Regional Social Inclusion Strategy - review • Local Integration Strategies and Forums (Castles et al, 2002; Ager & Strang, 2004; ECRE, 2005; Korac, 2001)

  14. Community Cohesion • Policy term emerging after 2001 social unrest • Recent shift from multiculturalism to cohesion blamed for tensions and segregation • Linked with ‘race’, migration and assimilation • Social capital model – bonding, bridging, links • Based on shared futures, goals and equality • Commission for Integration and Cohesion report and CLG response • Much policy guidance and paradox (Forrest & Kearns 1999; Cantle 2005; COIC, 2007; Temple & Moran 2005)

  15. Cohesion and Migration • Refugees and migrants more likely to be victims of and to under report crime and exploitation • New arrivals face difficulty accessing services • Areas of asylum dispersal and migrant settlement often of existing deprivation • ‘Scape goating’ of new arrivals v. contribution to cohesion e.g. volunteering • Frequent movement / instability / work hrs make it difficult to form links within local communities • Lack of accurate data about populations of new communities, particularly destitute

  16. Key Publications • Welcome to Birmingham Website - A guide to information, support and services in Birmingham for people new to city Available at: www.welcometobirmingham.org • 'Migration Matters: Mainstreaming Migration in the West Midlands' Conference Report - June 2009 • Where Our Journeys Meet - A West Midlands Resource for Raising Awareness of Refugee, Asylum and Migrant Issues • Maternity, Mortality and Migration: the impact of new communities - 2008 All available at: http://www.wmlga.gov.uk/Policy_Areas/Migration/Publications/Publications.aspx

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