Migration

Why do people come to the UK?

  • Work: In 2013, foreign-born workers made up just over 9% of thosein work. The growth was fastest in relatively low-skilled occupations.

  • Study: A large number of foreign-born young people come to the UK to study, but their stay is usually temporary. About 18% of all students in higher education come from abroad, the largest proportion (almost 20%) from China.
    Joining, a family member: The rules governing this have been significantly tightened. Any proposed dependents must have an intermediate level of English and pass the 'Life in the UK' test.
    Asylum: Asylum-seekers represent only a very small proportion of immigrants. Around two-thirds of applications are rejected. Opinion polls repeatedly Show that respondents considerably overestimate the number of asylum-seekers in the population.
    Question: Why might people overestimate the numbers in this way?

Who are the migrants?

Polish people are a significant group, both as immigrants and emigrants.

  • Many Poles come to the UK to work, as even a poorly paid join the UK pays more than most Poles can earn at home.

  • Many stay for only a limited period and then return to Polánd, becoming emigrants.

  • Poles represent the second-largest group of foreign-born nationals living in the UK.

However, frermansung immigrants by country of birth rather than nationality, the Indian community remains the largest. This is because of the large number of lindians who take

British nationality.

• The most common countries of birth of foreign-born residents inthe UK are India, Poland, Ireland and Pakistan.

UK-born people also figure among the immigrants, as those who have left to live or work abroad retur home.

What is the impact on family?

Asian Families Sociological research

  • Majority in nuclear families

  • 33% in multi generational families (mainly«Sikhs and East African
    Asians)

  • Marriage highly valued: little cohabitation or divorce. Marriage is mainlaranged. Women marry younger, more children younger

  • Some evidence of sex segregation

  • Strong sense of duty to parents and notion of honour

  • Strong sense of duty to assist kin, especially Bangladeshi and Pakistani children.

What is the impact on families?

Afro Caribbean Families

  • 39% in a formal marriage (60% White adults) Fe lei

  • Over 50%*of A-C families are one-parent femilies, caused mainly by women choosing to live separately from fathers. By 25, 48% mothers remain single, 7% white mothers

  • A-C mamerare more likely to be employed, and A-C men have high rates of unemployment

  • A-C women are supported by 'fictive kin' an 1 extensive friendship support network