Key problems in the evidence base in Britain's migration debate The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford COMPAS Breakfast Briefing 13 May 2011
Dec 19, 2015
Key problems in the evidence base in Britain's migration debate
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford
COMPAS Breakfast Briefing13 May 2011
#1: EmigrationSample survey is only source
#2: ImmigrationDiscrepancies across sources
#3: Net MigrationFlows do not match stocks
#4: Immigration StatusNo systematic data
• Within the UK migrant population (“stock”)
– How many are on Tier 1 visas? Tier 2? Other?
– How many on student visas are employed?
– How do skills vary across different immigration statuses?
#5: Local area statistics:Imprecise estimates
#6: Public OpinionWho counts as a migrant?
• Government stats vs. members of public– Permanent/temporary– Students– Skills, resources– Legal/illegal
• Mismatched definitions mismatched policies?
#7: Impact on Public ServicesLack of data collection and analysis
• Lack of data collection on migrant status of users of services
• Scarcity of systematic research on migrants’ role in provision of public services
#8: Impact on HousingInsufficient research
• Impact on house prices, rents
• Indirect effects on social housing
#9: Student migration:Uncertain numbers, compliance, impacts
• Contribution to net migration– Visas vs. IPS– Exits• “potential” vs. actual non-compliance
• Impact on job market for British graduates
#10: Irregular/illegal MigrantsNumbers, characteristics
• Uncertainty– 524,000 – 947,000 estimated at end of 2007
(based on methods in 2005 Home Office report)
• Questions of definitions (e.g. semi-compliance)
www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.ukmigrationobservatory@compas.ox.ac.uk