Key Findings
Best practice (100% score)
Definitions and concepts, and fields of application for anti-discrimination law
Rights associated with labour market access
Political liberties
Dual nationality
Favourable
Anti-discrimination law
Conditions for the acquisition of long-term residence
Critically unfavourable (0% score)
Consultative bodies for political participation
Change since 2004
Slightly less favourable security of nationality
More favourable anti-discrimination law
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Overview
This old country of immigration has seen new unprecedented waves of labour migration in the past few years. Larger numbers than predicted arrived from the new EU Member States after their accession in May 2004, with inadequate preparation for their integration(1). Large flows of non-EU nationals continue to arrive for high-skilled work, study and family reunion, though flows of refugees have declined steeply. Most are Commonwealth citizens who enjoy certain advantages and civic rights. The UK is also increasingly recognised as a country of significant emigration(2).
Britons increasingly rank immigration and race as their top policy concerns. Anxieties over Islamism and terrorism have also fuelled public debates on integration(3). Government discussions have centered on a points-based system for ‘managing' migration and employer sanctions for illegal work. Efforts on integration include reform of governance structures and a renewed, inclusive concept of Britishness. The UK opted out of most sections of European cooperation on migration.
According to MIPEX, legally-resident third-country nationals (hereafter ‘migrants') in the UK benefit from slightly favourable labour market access, long-term residence, family reunion, and access to nationality policies. Political participation policies score around halfway to best practice. Anti-discrimination laws and policies are particularly strong and have improved since 2004.
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Integration Policy Timeline
01/11/2005
New conditions for naturalisation including a test
01/2006
Gordon Brown proposed ‘Britishness holiday' as means to promote integration
29/11/2006
Migration Advisory Committee of business, local authorities, trade unions and community leaders established
12/2006
25% increase in charges for racially- and religiously-aggravated offences
30/01/2007
Institute of Directors survey found employers prefer migrant workers, for their work ethic and skills.
21/02/2007
Commission on Integration and Social Cohesion proposed foreign spouses learn English before admission
22/02/2007
Deportation now considered before release of all non-national prisoners
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Migrant Profile
Footnotes
1 Joseph Rowntree Foundation, The experiences of Central and East European migrants in the UK, May 2007.
2 Sriskandarajah and Drew, Brits Abroad: Mapping the scale and nature of British emigration, Institute for Public Policy Research, December 2006.
3 See "UK more suspicious of Muslims than America and rest of EU", Financial Times, 20.08.2007 and The Pew Gobal Attitudes Project: Muslims in Europe, 6.09.2006
