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Language and labour market outcomes in London

Language and labour market outcomes in London. Presentation to LFS User Group 18 January 2007. Lorna Spence Senior Research and Statistical Analyst Greater London Authority. Context & objectives The LFS question on first language Key findings Conclusions and future work

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Language and labour market outcomes in London

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  1. Language and labour market outcomes in London Presentation to LFS User Group 18 January 2007 Lorna Spence Senior Research and Statistical Analyst Greater London Authority

  2. Context & objectives The LFS question on first language Key findings Conclusions and future work The APS/LFS: some final thoughts… Overview

  3. GLA‘s Data Management and Analysis Group (DMAG): providing the Mayor with a sound evidence base. The project on language was commissioned by the policy team to inform work on refugee integration. Previous research has identified a strong association between English language proficiency and labour market outcomes BUT: Now out of date Not about London Context

  4. To assess LFS estimates on first language. To profile the demographic characteristics of ESL* Londoners To quantify the extent to which language is associated with poor labour market outcomes. Objectives of analysis * ESL = English as a second language

  5. What is your first language at home? English Welsh Gaelic Ulster Scots/Ullans Other (no further disaggregation) For London, most ESL residents fall into ‘Other‘. Two follow-up questions on barriers to employment and education due to language. Questions funded by DfES. Question only asked in the Summer quarter every three years (2003, 2006 etc). LFS question on language

  6. LFS language data: limitations Limitations • No detail on: language spoken, no. languages spoken, proficiency, BSL etc. • Possible (Likely?) bias in the data. Non-English speaking households are likely to be under-represented in the LFS. • Limited sample size: (n=9,400 Londoners). Headline data only, no detailed modelling. Strengths • Data are important and help fill a big gap in current data on first language of adult Londoners. • Wide topic coverage in LFS enables profiling of the characteristics of the ESL population.

  7. First language by region Percentage of adult residents with a first language other than English by region, 2003 London’s ESL population comprises 42 per cent of all ESL residents across the UK.

  8. First language by country of birth Percentage of adult residents with a first language other than English by country of birth and ethnicity, 2003

  9. First language by ethnic group Percentage of adult residents with a first language other than English by ethnic group, 2003 BME Londoners comprise 74 per cent of the ESL population in London.

  10. Labour market position by first language Economic activity by first language, persons working age, Greater London, 2003

  11. Employment rates by age and first language Employment rates by age, first language and student status, Greater London, 2003

  12. Employment rates by language, ethnicity and country of birth

  13. Employment rates by language, gender and parenthood

  14. ESL workers tend to be over-represented in lower paid occupations and sectors. Eg ESL workers make up 14 per cent of those Londoners in employment but comprise almost half (47 per cent) of those employed in the hotels and restaurants sector. The average hourly pay rate for ESL employees is £8.67 an hour – less than two thirds of the rate for first language English speakers (£13.93 an hour). Data disguise huge diversity within the ESL population…. Profile of workers by language

  15. Conclusions and future work • Analysis has limitations but still very useful. • While LFS estimates probably underestimate the exact size of the ESL population, they provide fairly good information on the characteristics of the population. • The findings, which highlight a very strong association between language and labour market outcomes, are consistent with previous research. • Future work could include: • Exploration of 2006 LFS data on language • Analysis of schools data on language.

  16. The APS/LFS: some final thoughts • Suggestions to improve data availability in area of language/diversity: • ONS/DfES to consider asking the LFS language question every quarter, as a core question on LFS/APS/IHS, increasing effective sample size. • Consideration needed on how to get more detail on actual language spoken & BSL (Census? and/or LFS?). • Qualifications data: improving coding of foreign qualifications • ONS to consider increasing the APS sample size in London. [London has a relatively low share of sample & low response rates]. Increasing the London sample would improve data on diversity more generally.

  17. Further information • Read the full report: • DMAG Briefing 2006/26: A profile of Londoners by language • Available on the GLA website: http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/publications/factsandfigures.jsp • For information about the GLA‘s work with LFS and APS data, please contact: Lorna Spence in the GLA‘s Data Management and Analysis Group (lorna.spence@london.gov.uk)

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