Migration plan's two-year delay for data revision
- Published: 11 June 2008 14:35
- Last Updated: 28 July 2008 15:45
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_tcm16-455505.jpg "Migration plan’s two-year delay for data revision")
Local services are set to continue creaking under the financial strain of migration until at least 2011 after ministers ruled out immediate changes to population data collection.
Communities secretary Hazel Blears was yesterday due to launch the government's migration impact action plan, designed to ensure the economic benefits of migration are shared with councils.
The plan pledged to increase the cost of immigration applications to fund services for new arrivals, including more English language training. The government claims tens of millions of pounds will be raised.
National Insurance number applications and GP registrations will be used from 2010 to improve population estimates and will influence the next three-year settlement for councils from 2011. This would meet a key demand of the Local Government Association.
Ms Blears said: "We are delivering a migration system that is well managed and fair and supporting local authorities in responding to change."
However, many fear the plan will be insufficient to cope with the scale of the challenge.
Slough BC's head of economic development, diversity and equality, Rafiq Chohan, said the council estimated that it would be underpaid by £13m over three years. He said the shortage has left it with little cash to provide English language classes that could "help make [migrants] aware of their rights and responsibilities".
The plan rejects a recommendation of the Commission on Integration & Cohesion which reported a year ago to guide ministerial policy on diversity. No independent agency to manage integration of new migrants will be created. Ms Blears instead backed the creation of a new unit within the Department for Communities & Local Government.
Commission chair Darra Singh, chief executive of Ealing LBC, said of the unit: "Anything that actually improves the way the government [departments] work together to support local areas can only be a good thing."
It was also revealed the department's first specialist cohesion team will be deployed at Breckland DC, which has faced rapid migration. The council will be offered advice on cohesive communities and tailoring services to changing needs.
