1. Integrating Migrants
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the British multicultural model?
Dr. Sarah Kyambi Research Fellow Migration, Equalities and Citizenship Team

2. What is the British multiculturalist model?
Race relations model
Multiculturalism as respect for difference often a feature of public policy
However, no legal/constitutional commitment to multiculturalism
Legal commitment to non-discrimination and promotion of race equality

3. History of immigration to the UK
Main inflow: post-war immigration 1950’s initially mainly Caribbean, then outstripped by South Asian immigrants
Successive immigration control legislation 1962, 1971, 1981
Continuing family immigration 1970s and 1980s
1990s characterised by increasing asylum related immigration
Increasing restriction of asylum provisions through legislation: 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2004
Move to a managed migration system encouraging targeted labour immigration through various skills and sector based schemes
Five Year Strategy- to introduce a points system for labour migration, sponsors and bonds, independent skills advisory body and initially temporary refugee protection
Five Year strategy:

4. Race Relations Legislation
Early legislation: 1965, 1969 prohibited discrimination in employment, training, education and service provision
1976 Act established Commission for Race Equality with duties to work towards elimination of discrimination, to promote race equality, review 1976 Act operation and exercise strategic powers of enforcement
2000 Race Relations (Amendment) Act: extends duties in race equality legislation to all public authorities. Unlawful for public authorities to discriminate in the exercise of their functions on grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin. Imposes positive duties to promote race equality. Police services come under jurisdiction of race equality legislation
Proposed Commission for Equality and Human Rights To integrate different anti-discrimination bodies

5. British Multiculturalism in Context
2001: 8.3% (4.9million) of population was foreign born
Of these 53% white. Then Indian, Pakistani, Black African, Black Caribbean, Chinese, Bangladeshi.
2001: 7.9% (4.6 million) of population was an ethnic minority.
Of these Indian 22%, Then Pakistani, Mixed, Black Caribbean, Black African, Bangladeshi.

6. Total migration to the UK

7. Map of people born outside British Isles, 2001

8. Map of change in people born outside British Isles, 1991-2001

9. Migration to the UK by citizenship

10. Immigrants and Employment

11. Employment gap by UK regions

12. New Immigrant Communities People earning less than ½ UK median, 00-04.0% 5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
North East
North West
Yorkshire &
Humberside
West
Midlands
East
East of
England
Inner London
Outer London
South East
South West
Wales
Scotland
N.Ireland
British Isles born
'Settled' foreign born
'New' foreign born
Source: Labour Force Survey

13. Public Opinion in Britain
Rising concern about immigration and race relations
British Attitudes to immigrants consistently more negative than EU average even when more positive than other Europeans about racial and cultural diversity

14. Public opinion
Source: MORI, 2005;

15. Pressures on the British Model
Reasons:
9/11 and 2001 riots in North of England prompted a change in integration policy
Public attitudes to immigration and asylum and the prominence of immigration as an election issue
Diversity vs. Solidarity debate is there a liberal dilemma?
Recognition vs. Equality debate is multiculturalism dead?

16. Pressures on the British Model
Consequences:
Emergence of policy to promote social cohesion
Increased emphasis on fostering belonging and promoting core values
Changes to citizenship policy
Focus on equality outcomes rather than identity politics
Increasing use of integration indicators-useful in trying to be more objective about outcomes and determining what it is we want integration for

17. Current integration policy in the UK
Most recent Government integration strategy ‘Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society’ has two main foci:
a. Reducing race inequalities
b. Fostering community cohesion
In addition, the Refugee Integration Strategy emphasises achieving full potential, contributing to communities, and accessing services

18. Key Issues
British integration policy becoming less about race and more about immigration?
As immigration is changing, integration policy needs a more complex model than black/ white or black/white/Asian
Will the promoting of equal life chances work?
Government recognition that the UK needs immigration yet how to persuade a reluctant public?