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Migration Impacts Plan

I am today publishing a plan that sets out the Government's approach to managing the impacts of migration. We believe that migration to the United Kingdom brings substantial benefits to our economy and to society as a whole. Our response to the House of Lords' Economic Affairs Select Committee's inquiry into migration, published alongside this document, restates our case for these benefits. Together these documents set out our objective: to maximise the benefits of migration while minimising any transitional pressures experienced by communities and local service providers. We are carrying out the biggest shake-up of the UK's border security and immigration system for 45 years and introducing a new points-based system to attract those most able to make a positive contribution to the UK. We will continue to provide refuge for those fleeing persecution, as we have done for centuries. Once people are here, we will ensure that they are able to integrate and make a positive contribution to their community. We are also taking steps to ensure that they learn English and do not access benefits or services unfairly. Migration brings significant benefits nationally, but the precise difference that migration makes to local places and people will vary from town to town, neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and sometimes even street to street. Some local areas are more affected by change than others and some communities feel the effects of change more than others. Public concern about immigration remains, particularly about pressures on public services and impacts on the labour market. In some places it is the rate and scale of change which have an impact on local communities and services. Other places experiencing significant migration for the first time may not have the institutions and programmes in place to help them manage that change. And for some areas, there may be further challenges to face if net migration reduces. We want to enable all places to share in the positive benefits of migration. But this will take practical action. Local authorities, working closely with their communities and public, private and third sector partners, are best placed to manage change. Where it is necessary, the Government are committed to providing support in three ways. First, it is our responsibility to understand the change that is taking place in our communities. We are committed to getting better at planning for the future, anticipating shifts in migration patterns and helping local authorities prepare for them. This work includes a £12 million programme led by the Office for National Statistics to improve population and migration data. Secondly, we shall help public services respond in those places most affected by demographic changes, including the arrival of new migrants. We have already made specific funding available—such as additional resources for schools experiencing rapid growth in pupil numbers. We are committed to developing a new transitional impacts of migration fund to help manage the local impacts of migration. Money for the fund will be raised through increases to certain fees for immigration applications. Thirdly, we will support people and communities to be confident in the face of change. We have already provided significant funding for community cohesion by helping new migrants understand local customs and make a positive contribution to local life, and by breaking down the misconceptions that can sometimes cause anxiety or tension with the settled community. We are committed to providing further support to local authorities and their partners and to sharing the successful approaches that are already making a difference in many places—from local citizen days to migrant information packs. There are many commitments made in this document to support what we are offering now, and work is already underway for the rest of this year. Early in 2009, we intend to provide an update on the changes made and the action taken as a result of this programme of work. Copies of the document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can be accessed via the Communities and Local Government website at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/migrationimpact.