National Institute of Economic and Social Research Refugees in the United Kingdom An Analysis of ‘Integration’ using Longitudinal Data Andreas Cebulla

Key messages to convey Refugees face disadvantage –In housing, employment, language skills Integration policy ought to be more ambitious –Effective –Pro-active –Interventionist

300,000 refugees and fluctuating numbers of asylum applications in the UK

UK asylum policy has become increasingly more restrictive… 1993 fast-tracking safe country applicants 1996 ‘safe third country’ concept 1999 dispersal within UK/NASS 2002 appeals no longer suspend deportation 2004 limit/conditionality of welfare support 2006 appeals restriction - entry refusal 2007 immigration officers - police-like powers 2010 stricter internal & external border controls

..while new asylum management & support services were introduced New Asylum Model (NAM, 2007) –Segmentation –Fast-tracking –Case owner Strategic Upgrade of National Refugee Integration Services (SUNRISE) Refugee Integration and Employment Services (RIES)

Between 2005 and 2008, refugees to the UK came from 80+ countries

Many refugees had already spent some time in UK prior to asylum decision

After the asylum decision, lots of things happened fairly fast for many refugees Within eight months of the asylum decision, –75% of refugees had changed accommodation about 2/3 came from NASS accommodation –32% of refugees had taken up paid work 40%, if employed before arriving in the UK –64% participated in English language learning 35% reported participation at 8, 15 and 21 months

Refugees moved into accommodation they often found lacking in size or quality

Employment increased, unemployment & study decreased

But education had only a weak effect on employment rates

Refugees who had already lived in the UK reported better language skills ( shown by time spent in UK prior to asylum decision, at baseline)

Language skills improved over time, but not for all 52% reported improved language skills –31% no change; 17% decreasing 14% had a low level of English language skills throughout the survey period –Aged 35+ –Poor health –Parent/guardian of a child –Less than 10 years’ education –Fewer than 2 years in UK before asylum decision –Participated in language courses

The study’s main practical lessons for refugee support are: Focus on early months Improve transition to mainstream accommodation –Facilitate move-on into better housing Address over-qualification at the workplace –Improve matching & promote in-work progression Promote language learning –Focus on women, parents/guardians and people aged 45+ –Explore persistently low language skills

The study’s main strategic lessons are: Housing and labour market work against refugees Refugee integration should not/cannot be seen as detached from national housing and labour market policy Special efforts needed to overcome barriers to refugee integration Use NAM strategically to promote integration pro-actively

Thank you. THANK YOU! Andreas Cebulla