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Migration, Communities and Services: learning from the project Christine Whitehead LSE London. Migration and the Transformation of London LSE London 27 th June 2014. Migrants Use of Services.
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Migration, Communities and Services: learning from the projectChristine WhiteheadLSE London Migration and the Transformation of London LSE London 27th June 2014
Migrants Use of Services • If we need the labour, international migrants are relatively cheap compared to internal migrants in terms of the use of public services • They live in smaller homes at higher densities • They use less educational facilities • They use fewer health services • And much more • Over time their use converges to that of local households with similar attributes
Exceptions • Language issues • Excessive turnover issues –especially in education • Costs associated with NOT using services – TB; A and E • In service terms better if they come; stay quite a while; and then go home happily to build links with their colleagues in London • The rich country/poor country story
Migrants Use of Housing • The household projections assume that migrants behaviour is exactly the same as indigenous households with the same attributes • So they overestimate the number of households • Importance of turnover not simply net changes(not well understood) and specifics of immigration • Variations since 2000 in types of migrants – refugees /economic; initial migrant/family members; non-European/European; rich countries/poor countries
But Migrant Housing Demand a Major Source of Local Tension • Refugees take priority – but moved out of London (tho they come back later?) • Major issue: large families needing limited numbers of larger social homes • Once eligible for Housing Benefit, other migrant groups may apply for social housing • After 3 years in some places migrants (defined as born abroad) are disproportionately in social housing • But this is the same across Europe among poorer migrant and indeed ethnic minority households • Concentrations of poverty and ethnic groups by tenure and location - but more mixed in London • Insider/outside issues in terms of attitudes –little distinction between migration and ethnicity; some evidence of more established migrants being as anti or more anti new groups; do people care if the person moving in is from abroad; from elsewhere in the UK or indeed elsewhere in London?
Community • Role of the private rented sector and high rates of turnover in generating higher costs to community and services • Policy pressures to move out of London if benefit dependent (and Housing Benefit goes far above median incomes in many central areas) • Aspirant households – families take part in community activities etc, discouraged households less involved – are migrant households any different? • Speed of change – turning to David……..