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Migration Myths
There are legitimate concerns about migration, but there are also lots of myths and false assumptions. Myth: The UK is being flooded by migrants In the decade 1997-2006 3.3 million people migrated away from the UK and 4.9 million migrated to the UK, producing net inward migration of 1.6 million - an average of 160,000 people per year over the last ten years, just 0.26% of the total UK population of 60.6 million.
Myth: Britain takes in more migrants and refugees than anywhere else According to the UNHCR, the UK hosted 301,000 refugees at the start of 2007. This is far smaller than Tanzania (485,000), Germany (605,000), USA (844,000) and Pakistan (1,044,000). In 2005 it was France that had the most asylum applications (49,700, compared to the UK's 30,500). In that year migration to the UK was 473,800, lower than Germany (579,300), Spain (682,700) and USA (1,122,400). Some countries, such as South Africa, have received many millions of refugees and economic migrants from central and southern Africa over the past decade. Myth: Migrants bring crime As migration increases the population in particular areas, Chief Constables have requested more resources. This does not mean that migrants increase the level of crime, just that a larger population requires more money for police services. Fears about migration and crime are often sensationalised in news reporting. It is wrong to accuse all migrants of bringing crime. Myth: Migrants are taking British jobs The number of unemployed people in the UK has fallen over the last ten years. In February 2008 the unemployment rate was 5.2%. 29.4 million people were in work, and in December 2007 there were 31.62 million jobs - a record high. There is no evidence to suggest that migrants are preventing British born people from getting work. Myth: Migrants only come here to get benefits Migrants are not automatically entitled to benefits . Asylum seekers receive very little support and migrant workers from the EU have to work for two years before being entitled to benefits and welfare. Housing is not normally provided to migrants upon arrival in the UK. Asylum seekers have limited access to health services. Most migrants live in private housing. Myth: Britain is too crowded already The UK's population is growing due to a rising birth rate. Even without immigration, the population is predicted to increase by around ¼ million each year. Some people are concerned that this will put pressure on resources, such as public transport, health services or schools. However, other countries, such as Japan, have greater population densities than the UK. Myth: Migration is diluting British culture It is impossible to define a single British culture. British identity is shaped by migration as much as which part of the country you live in or which newspaper you read - curry and fish and chips; village cricket and the Notting Hill Carnival.
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