LFS Non-response Data on Migrants Laura Keyse Office for National Statistics

Structure 1. Introduction to LFS Sample Design, Response Rate Trends and Characteristics of Non-responders 2. Non-response Data on Migrants 3. Conclusions

LFS Sample Design Systematic random sample – 53,000 responding households per quarter GB addresses sampled from the Postcode Address File Each quarters sample comprises five waves of households Wave 1 = face-to-face interview Waves 2-5 = telephone interview

Wave Specific Response Rates

Composition of Non-response

Characteristics of Non-responders: Non- contacts 2001 Census-linked study (Freeth, 2004) showed non- contact in wave one of the LFS most likely to occur in households: located in the Midlands, East of England, London and the South East living in a purpose-built flat or converted/shared house containing one adult only The HRP of difficult-to-contact households tended to be: single, separated, divorced or widowed born outside the UK an employee or self-employed

Characteristics of non-responders: Refusals Refusal most likely to happen in households: located in the Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West and Scotland whose HRP did not have degree level qualifications NB: No relationship between country of birth and wave one refusal rate

Non-response on Migrants: Definitions Migrants defined as HRPs born outside the UK Non-migrants defined as UK-born HRPs Note - differs from UN definition: A person who moves to a country other than that of his or her usual residence for a period of at least a year (12 months), so that the country of destination effectively becomes his or her new country of usual residence

Non-response on Migrants : Method Attrition rate calculated for waves 2-5 of all quarters of the 2005 and 2006 LFS Attrition rate: how many HRPs failed to take part in a specific wave as a proportion of those which took part in the previous wave e.g. wave 2 attrition rate shows how many HRPs dropped out in wave 2 as a proportion of those that completed a wave 1 interview

Wave Specific Attrition Rates (Non-contacts + Refusals)

Wave Specific Non-contact Rates

Wave Specific Refusal Rates

Composition of Non-response Non-Migrants Migrants

Reasons for Refusal at Waves 2-5 Reason for refusalMigrantsNon- migrants Broken appointment Too busy About to go away Other Personal problems Cannot be bothered Language difficulties Invasion of privacy Doesnt believe in surveys Anti-government0.4

Waves 2-5 Attrition Rates by Region

Summary LFS response rates have declined over the last decade Wave one non-contact rate higher for migrants Attrition, non-contact and refusal rates higher for migrants at waves 2-5 Composition of non-response is similar for migrants and non-migrants at waves 2-5 Similar reasons for refusal given by migrants and non-migrants Migrant attrition rate is highest in London

Note on European Commission funding and information contained in presentation The project which has been reported in this presentation was funded by the European Commission. However, the information presented is the sole responsibility of the author. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.