Impacts of immigration

Unprecedented levels of immigration to the UK have focused interest in trying to assess the financial and other impacts of immigration. Numerous reports have been published by a range of organisations, and the Government has set up a new body, the Migration Impacts Forum, to collect and discuss evidence on the effects which immigration is having on communities and public services throughout the UK. One of the main findings of these reports is that current statistics are inadequate for properly assessing the range and depth of impacts of immigration. Local authorities, schools and the police appear particularly affected and are seeking extra funding. But there seems to be an emerging consensus that the overall economic effect of migrant workers, whether positive or negative, is not likely to be large. Perhaps as important as the actual impacts of immigration is the public perception of it. It is increasingly recognised that Government policy must deal with both.