Report finds Brits want to give migrants a fair deal

Those living in Britain think UK workers should be prioritised but that migrants should be given a fair deal and helped to integrate into British life.

This is according to the results of a citizen-assembly-style process by the Home Affairs Committee in partnership with Demos, in which nearly 100 people from across the country explored, debated, and came to collective conclusions about reducing work-related immigration.

The process saw events held in North Tyneside, Leicester, and Renfrewshire. At each event, around 30 people came together to discuss immigration, with participants representing a broad range of demographics and political views.

They were presented with key information related to UK immigration and then worked together to develop principles that could guide government policymaking with regards to work-related immigration to Britain.

In discussing how the government should go about its goal of restricting net immigration to the UK for work, participants in the process decided on key points that should inform its policymaking.

The result of this process was a set of principles that have now been handed to the Home Affairs Committee to guide their scrutiny of government policy.

Guiding principles for restricting immigration to the UK

Below are the thirteen guiding principles produced by the citizens-assembly-style process, ranked in order of priority by participants:

1. Prioritise training, upskilling and employment opportunities for UK residents, especially young people, before relying on migrant labour.
2. Ensure there is sufficient local infrastructure to support both immigrants and existing residents.
3. Plan work-related immigration using evidence and long-term workforce planning to predict labour market needs and address shortages, while remaining flexible enough to respond to changing circumstances.
4. Prevent employers from abusing the immigration system by ensuring effective oversight, enforcement, and fair treatment of migrant workers.
5. Promote an honest and balanced public conversation about immigration.
6. Once they’re here, treat migrant workers fairly, with dignity and respect.
7. Ensure decision-making on work-related immigration is joined up across government.
8. Support migrants and local communities to integrate successfully, strengthening community cohesion.
9. Plan work-related immigration on a local level by taking into account local context and labour market needs.
10. Provide different immigration pathways that reflect individuals’ skills, circumstances, and whether they intend to come for the short or long term.
11. Prioritise migrants who make a positive contribution to the UK’s economy.
12. Provide appropriate and clear pathways for settlement for immigrants once they have work visas and are making a long-term contribution.
13. Migrant workers, particularly those in medium-skilled and longer-term roles, should be able to bring their immediate families to the UK.

One of the most notable effects of this process was its demonstration of the utility of deliberative democracy. Of the participants involved, 92% said they had changed their mind based on hearing other people’s views.

The Home Affairs Committee said it will now launch a new enquiry into work-based immigration in light of the report’s findings.

“The list of priorities set out in this report gives a clear idea of the issues that matter to them. It was pleasing to see so many people from different backgrounds and different experiences work together to achieve this,” said Home Affairs Committee Chair Dame Karen Bradley.

“But we must also recognise that there was dissatisfaction with how immigration has been handled and a trust gap in the ability of policy makers to deliver. It is now our job on the Home Affairs Committee to listen to what they have said and take this forward in our work.”

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