The Migration Observatory Recent changes in immigration policy: What are the implications for London? Martin Ruhs The Migration Observatory www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk LSE Roundtable 5 Oct 2012

Migration and London About ½ of UK’s migrants live in London 1/3 of London pop. born abroad, of whom ¼ recent migrants new migrants, some of the longest settled migrants

Key features and issues Pop churn and mobility  provision of public services Polarity of migrant labour market: richest and poorest Big intra-regional differences between inner and outer boroughs High reliance on migrants in low-wages sectors incl. construction, hospitality, contract cleaning and residential care (2/3 of care assistants in London FB; 95% of London underground workers FB) Estimated 600,000 illegally resident migrants (LSE 2009) London less opposed to immigration than GB as a whole

Policy: UK and London Central government has no specific migration policy for London But various initiatives by London mayors and others, e.g. Refugee Integration Strategy 2009 London Enriched; London Strategic Migration Partnership => focus on integration 2010 support for regularisation and opposition to cap Admission and integration

Key changes in immigration policy Non-EU labour immigration: cap and greater selectivity Cap undersubscribed Biggest impact on medium/lower skilled occupations including chefs and social care Non-EU family immigration: higher earnings threshold => Labour supply in low-waged jobs? Housing? Non-EU students: abuse and reducing numbers further education and universities; evidence base weak; [census; new local area estimates; losers and winners]

www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk See especially: http://www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/policy-primers/migrants-london-policy-challenges