Migration in Contemporary Britain Davide Però and Elisabetta Zontini Identity, Citizenship and Migration Centre (University of Nottingham) TCN meeting, Marsala, 8-9 April 2010

Introduction New Migrations in Britain Policy Context Political Rights Employment Best Practices

New Migrations in Britain UK as a country of new immigrations and ‘superdiversity’ (Vertovec 2006) Total in thousan ds Work Related in thousan ds Inflow Outflow Net Thousands% British7114 Foreign44084 Total Inflow by nationality, 2008 Source: Metcalf, 2009.

Policy Context : Multiculturalism 2000s: Neo- assimilationism and backlash against diversity Renewed hostility against migrants

...Policy Context Government Policy increasingly unfavourable New naturalisation rules (Citizenship Test) ‘earned’ and ‘probationary’ citizenship Introduction of the Points Based System for migrant workers Raise in racist incidents (Council of Europe)

Political rights No voting rights for migrants from non- Commonwealth countries No general election vote for EU citizens Migrants not politically passive

Employment Most common reasons for non-EU migration = study and family Migrant workers = deskilling, exploitation and discrimination in the job market Higher unemployment rates and concentration in low paid ‘elementary jobs’ Asylum seekers excluded from labour market  destitution

Best Practices Strangers into Citizens Justice for Cleaners Migrants Rights Networks Migrants’ Health Rights Campaign Cultural Politics