Impacts of international migration

Economic

Migrants workers often send money back to their country of origin to help their families. This means the money leaves the host economy - a disadvantage - but the country of origin can benefit enormously

Housing

Finding accommodation can be difficult for migrants in the UK. Some have been helped by social services and this causes resentment from UK citizens who feel they are being treated as second class citizens in their own country. Demand for housing has grown immensely in the UK during the early 21st century, fuelled by high levels of migration. The demand for housing is greater than supply, so property prices quickly rose in the early 2000s and immigration has contributed to this. 

Labour and skills

Migration brings labour and skills, and the economies of the UK and the EU have grown asa result. Most migrants are more successful than they would have have been at home, however some are less fortunate. Tragedies have occurred when gang masters, who often control large numbers of workers in agriculture and shellfish harvesting, have been negligent. E.g, the death of 23 Chinese cockle pickers in February 2014. 

Social 

Too many immigrants can be a burden. Schools taking immigrant children may be under pressure. However, cultural mixing is seen as a positive, as long as racial prejudice does not become a problem. 

Positive impacts

Social

• Cultural mixing is seen by many to be good and bring diversity to the UK
• Important to alleviate the falling birth rate and risk of falling dependency ratio 

Economic

• Immigrants have helped fill vacancies (often low paid or in care) where there are labour shortages or where british people do not want to do the work. 
• contributed to economic growth including paying tax
• brought professional skills where there is a shortage in the UK

Negative impacts

Social

• Language difficulties that cause issues and often a burden for the education, law enforcement and social sectors
• Placed an increased burden on housing and social services when there are already shortages and problems with overcrowding
• Criminal gangs often from the migrant countries are exploiting immigrants.
• Tensions are often raised between different cultural and religious groups

Economic

• Some argue that it has kept down wages and deprived British workers of jobs and allowed people to live a life on benefits on the basis that there is no work for them
• Many work in the informal economy, working for cash and not paying any tax
• Place an increased burden on already stretched NHS, Education, social services and justice resources
• Migrant workers often send much of the money they earn back to their families in their country of origin so that the money does not benefit the UK's economy.