Lesson 9:

Voluntary Migration

What you should know by the end of this lesson:

Understand why people from Eastern Europe moved to the UK through the 00s and teens.
Be able to explain the impacts to Poland and Eastern Europe (Donor Countries).
Can discuss the impacts for the U.K. (receiving country).

Background

By law, any resident of an EU nation has the right of free movement amongst all of the other member states. Poland joined the EU in 2004. It was anticipated that emigration would lead to an increase in immigration into more prosperous areas of the UK. Unemployment was higher and the standard of living was lower in Poland. The UK government census 2011 counted 521 000 Polish residents in the UK.

Digital Workbook and Paper Jotter

Use the notes and information below to create effective notes on the impacts of voluntary migration:

Effective notes could be:

Mind maps
Tables
Infographics
Written out clearly with effective highlighting
etc

Poland to the UK

Push Factors

Average unemployment in Poland of 18.5% in 2005.
Youth unemployment of around 40%.
Rural unemployment in some areas of over 40%, isolated villages, poor housing, lack of facilities.
GDP only $12 700 per capita.
Relatively poor education and medical facilities.
Few industries, lack of job opportunities.
Poverty and low standard of living 17% of the population below the poverty line.
Lack of technology, infrastructure, communications and research opportunities.

Pull Factors

Unemployment in the UK at 5.1%
Skill shortages along with high demand for skilled and semi-skilled labour
Higher paid jobs GDP $30,900 in the UK per capita – average earnings
UK were one of only three countries that did not restrict the numbers of immigrants from the A8 countries (the other two being Eire and Sweden)
Better access to medical treatments (NHS)
Better availability of educational facilities e.g. free university places in Scotland universities
Higher quality and availability of housing
Increased security, less crime, political stability
Better access to food and high-quality farming

Impacts on the Donor Country

Brain drain of skilled workers seeking employment abroad
Families are separated as young males leave to find work and will send money home. This can result in a decrease in birth rates
Loss of young males results in an imbalance of working-age population leaves ageing population and division of families. Reduction in taxpayers reducing the money available in Poland.
Loss of entrepreneurial spirit as those that emigrate tend to be the biggest risk-takers
Loss of manual labour source in the rural sector
Injection of foreign cash as wages are sent home - improving living standards in Poland for those receiving cash from the U.K.
Less pressure on services (e.g. education & health)
If/when they return home they take the knowledge of new languages and other learnt skills
Improved political links between the U.K. and Poland

Brain Drain

Brain drain is when those who are highly educated

leave an area first. They have the skills, money or

know how to leave the area. This leaves a gap of

educated professionals in an area which tends to be

doctors, teachers and lawyers.

Impacts to the receiving country

Positive Impacts

₤2.5 billion contributed to the economy by eastern European immigrants
Between 0.5% and 1% of UK growth in 2006 attributed to the same workers
80% of migrants between 18 and 35 years old – N.I. (national insurance) contributions help the U.K. cope with an ageing population
New migrants are typically hard-working, enthusiastic, skilled and flexible
They filled a skills gap - many took on undesirable low paid jobs (e.g. cleaners in schools)
Over 10% of migrants are doctors and employed by NHS filling staff shortage
Agricultural and construction industries have benefited
The value of exposure to different cultures - an influx of new/revitalised providers of local services e.g. ethnic food retailers in run-down areas.

Negative Impacts

Exploitation of workers by unscrupulous employers
Tensions in areas that have previously not experienced large scale immigration
Poles taking jobs from British workers and wages have been pushed down in low skilled
jobs
Increased pressures on education placed by children of immigrants, migrant workers bring- spouses and children. Some 27,000 child benefit applications were approved.
Possible additional stress on NHS (though 30% of doctors and over 10% of nurses in the NHS were born outside the UK)
Demand for housing leading to higher rents/prices
Higher proportion of wages being returned to Poland

Extra

The full documentary "The Poles are coming" is available here. If you have watched the clips above then you can start from 20 mins.