Migrants have made significant economic contributions, filling vacancies and skills gaps and promoting job creation and productivity, particularly in some key sectors such as agriculture, food processing and hospitality.

The report consider whether recent migration to rural Britain has led to any risks for rural economies, and if so, how these risks can be managed.

Graham Russell, one of our Executive Directors, welcomed the new research:

"Migration is often thought of as an issue for cities, but this research shows that migrants play an important role in rural economies too. The economic needs and prospects of rural communities must be taken into account in the Government’s migration policies and economic development planning undertaken by Regional Development Agencies and Local Authorities."

Download a copy of the report from IPPR's website

Read IPPR's press release about the research

He was also joined by Gerard Crofton Martin from Citizens Advice who highlighted the work of the Citizens Advice Bureaux in this area.

Read Crispin's presentation

Our evidence shoes that the employment sectors most dependent on migrant workers from Eastern Europe are largely those same sectors, often low waged, with larger employment share in rural areas, such as agriculture, manufacturing, distribution, hotel and retail.

We're investigating the possibility that some rural communities and businesses could be vulnerable to an economic shock if there was to be a sudden slowdown or even a reversal of the current influx of migrant workers.

Recent findings from ippr highlighted the main factors that might be expected to lead to fewer migrants.

We're supporting further work by ippr to to examine the potential for immediate and possibly damaging consequences to businesses suddenly faced with shortages of labour and associated higher costs. 'The Economics of Migration’ will be aimed at government at all levels to inform their planning for the future.

Read our full statement asking 'Who will do the work?'

Find out more about our research into 'The Economics oif Migration'

The report provides dozens of practical recommendations ranging from the need for more language training through to the need for local authorities to pay more attention to mapping and planning for their local areas and local populations.

We're surprised that the report did not have more to say about the failure of official statistics to measure accurately the numbers of migrant workers in different localities, although we note that the report does say that "national government cannot let this issue fester". Official population estimates determine the size of Government grants to local authorities, the local NHS and other local service providers.

In a submission we're making to the Government, we make the case for closing the local funding gap in order to help local authorities and their partners to build on the good work they are doing in meeting the needs of all local people, both established communities and migrant workers and other incomers.

Our submission

The leaflet is available to download in a range of languages from the HSE website.

HSE is also developing a series of webpages that will provide information and practical guidance and a more readily identifiable and accessible channel of communication with employers and workers on these issues.

The website, to be launched later in 2007, will be aimed at employers, labour providers and labour users in all industries, overseas/migrant workers, other government departments and non-governmental agencies active in this area e.g. the police, Local Authorities, trades unions, Citizens’ Advice bureaux and faith groups.

• visit exhibition stands of projects working in areas such as education, employers of migrant workers and community cohesion
• talk to practitioners about their work
• attend break out sessions on particular good practice issues
• network and share information to identify areas of common concern

For more information contact palwinder.kaur@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

To book a free place contact nicola.attard@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

Programme

Monday 29 January 2007
Mothers Union, Mary Sumner House, London, SW1P 3RB

11.00 - Welcome & introduction: Government's Rural Advocate & chair of the CRC – Dr Stuart Burgess

12.00 and 1.00  - 'Ghosts': showings of new film by Nick Broomfield, about the deaths of Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay (Mary Sumner room)

• Findings from the Fens Pathfinder (Princess Mary room)

• Use of photography in getting the message across (Syndicate room)

• Working with the local media for positive stories and myth-busting (Princess Mary room)

Exhibitors:
Norfolk County Council, South Holland District Council, Churches, Boston Borough Council, Bridging Arts, Cumbria County Council, Keystone Development Trust, Wychavon District Council, East Herts District Council, Trades Union Congress, Cornwall County Council, New Link - Peterborough City Council, Fens Pathfinder, Citizens Advice Bureau, Lincolnshire Police, Rural Cultural Forum