UK has been the top immigrant destination with over 566,044 accepted in 2011, highest among all other countries. However, rising immigrant population poses threats on the region’s resources, infrastructure and services.
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/24/2014 -- Currently, UK population surged to 63.7 million with a total growth of 419,900 growths over the past year. This marks UK as third largest Eastern Europe nation. It is attributed to 813,000 recorded births, an increase of 254,400 births over 558,800 deaths within the same period. Another cause of the population explosion is the increase in migration levels of 165,600, the ONS reported.
UK attracts migrants from China, India, Germany, USA, Pakistan, Poland and Australia. Overseas migration was accounted for 517,800 of the population flow while 352,100 left the country resulting to a net of 165,600 for the year. The increase of births is driven by increasing number of women in their 20s and 30s who will bear babies, 26% of which are non-UK born mothers.
London recorded the net international migration of 69,000, the highest among all regions. It can be attributed to the city’s tourism attraction, being one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
Immigration into the UK skyrocketed when Poland and seven other Eastern European countries offered freedom to work in the regions without restrictions by Tony Blair’s government in 2004. It attracted skilled workers from around the world to work in various industries where manpower is needed. Skills shortages again doubled in 2008 when the UK economy hit a downfall that lead to recruiting suitable staff abroad. According to Accenture, a professional services firm, most clients prefer highly skilled workers overseas because of their unparalleled expertise.
Debates are now being held on UK’s “freedom of movement” principles. The threats imposed by inflating immigrant population on UK’s resources and infrastructure lead to plans of decreasing the inward migration to 100,000 by 2015, a far cry from 566,044 noted in 2011.
Uncontrolled, mass immigration can force people out of work and push down wages,” according to UK Home Office.
Imposing immigration cap on all non-EU immigrants has been rolled out and is being applied on various types of entries, labor or students. Student migration policy limits entry of students with additional accreditation requirements for educational institutions, meeting a higher standard of English language skills before entry, fewer working hours for paid jobs, cutting dependent family migration and maintenance money on their banks. Labor immigration has changed their policy on skilled non-EU immigrants not limited to higher minimum skills threshold, raised English language requirements, and a smaller shortage occupation list.A labor intensive job for company's immigration lawyers.
On the other hand, imposing caps may result to skilled workforce shortage, businesses moving offshore or increase in salaries and cost for scouting suitable staff, a possible replication of the California’s Silicon Valley labor conflict.
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