Research Projects

Communicating Migration

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Contact Email: h.andrew@ippr.org

Introduction

Improving the quality of public and political debate about migration in the UK.

Over the last ten years, concern about immigration to the UK has risen to the top of the public agenda. But the quality of the public debate on migration is often poor, and is highly polarised.

Those who can see the benefits of migration are often unwilling to publicly engage in discussion of what is a very controversial subject, and those expressing genuine concerns about migration risk finding themselves tarred with the same brush as extremists like the BNP.

It is commonly said that those engaged in shaping migration policy do not listen to “ordinary” people and that discussion is “gagged”.

Communicating Migration in the West Midlands

ippr is conducting a major research project on public attitudes towards migration in the UK, beginning with a regional study of the West Midlands, supported by the Barrow Cadbury Trust.

As part of this research, we are carrying out a series of public forums and workshops in Evesham, Wolverhampton and Birmingham. These events will be a chance for people to take part in an open and honest debate about the impacts of migration in their local areas, and to shape local and national policy by participating in this important piece of research.

Evesham: The first Communicating Migration events took place in Evesham in September 2009. Over 40 people attended a public meeting in the Town Hall for a wide-ranging and productive discussion that covered issues of jobs, public services, and integration. 15 local people took part in a more in-depth workshop at Evesham library, and agreed a clear set of messages for decision-makers, recognising both the costs and benefits of recent immigration for the local economy and community. The local media have also helped a wider range of people participate in the debate.

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Wolverhampton: The second round of Communicating Migration events took place in early October 2009. Around 30 people attended the public meeting at Wolverhampton Civic Halls, producing a lively conversation that covered race, asylum, human rights, community cohesion and employment. 18 local residents then took part in a more in-depth workshop at Wolverhampton Archives, where participants agreed a clear set of messages for decision-makers. Whilst they recognised the merits of recent immigration, they felt it was time to address wider societal concerns such as youth unemployment. The local media were approached to help a wider range of people participate in the debate and BBC West Midlands were in attendance.

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Birmingham: The final Communicating Migration events took place in Birmingham in October 2009. An expert audience gathered together at the City Inn Hotel to discuss the impacts of migration in Birmingham, the cities’ unique ability to adapt to change, yet the need to work within communities to address community tensions. 20 local people then took part in a more in-depth workshop at Birmingham Central Library, and agreed a clear set of messages for decision-makers. The participants were strongly driven by their sense of fairness and wanted to ensure migrants contributed to society, with British citizens prioritised in policy making.

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