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Immigration
See other Immigration Articles

Title: Record numbers seek new lives abroad
Source: The Independent UK
URL Source: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article3166418.ece
Published: Nov 19, 2007
Author: By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspond
Post Date: 2007-11-19 19:47:56 by Zipporah
Keywords: None
Views: 27

Record numbers seek new lives abroad

By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspondent

Published: 16 November 2007

For decades it has been the dream of millions, but for an increasing number of Britons it is becoming a reality. New figures show the number of people leaving the country to start a new life abroad has reached record levels, with almost 600 emigrating every day.

Attracted by the prospect of better pay or warmer climes, 207,000 UK nationals left the country for good last year in search of a better quality of life. Australia, Spain and France were the most popular destinations, with the US and New Zealand also proving popular. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that with 591,000 people settling in this country in 2006, the UK's overall population grew by 191,000 in 2006.

The figures were hailed as proof that Britain in the 21st century has become a global hub for the mass movement of people, with record numbers moving in and out of the country.

Danny Sriskandarajah, the head of migration at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said: "More people are on the move than ever before, with a million emigrants and immigrants crossing our borders last year. This suggests the UK is seeing revolving turnstiles and not overrun floodgates."

The figures illustrate the pressures that ministers face as they try to defuse the politically explosive issue of immigration. With newcomers heading for all parts of the country, the report underlined the challenge that many communities face in absorbing immigrants. But Mr Sriskandarajah said politicians needed to beware of reacting hastily amid an increasingly heated debate. "The challenge for policymakers is to make the most of the opportunities that migration presents while minimising any negative impacts," he said.

The ONS said 207,000 UK nationals left Britain last year, equivalent to 567 every day. Another 193,000 foreigners returned home after settling in this country. The total number of people leaving Britain – 400,000 – was the highest recorded by the ONS.

Just over 100,000 were taking up a new job, with another 82,000 emigrating to find work. The rest were retiring, moving to be with relatives abroad or studying overseas. In the majority of cases, the moves – in and out of the country – were driven by financial reasons. "It is clear immigration is an economic phenomenon, with almost half of those immigrating and emigrating doing so for work-related reasons," said Mr Sriskandarajah. "This mobility will be increasingly important for the UK's long-term economic prospects."

Australia was by far the most popular destination, with 100,000 heading Down Under, Australians returning home after working in Britain and UK nationals emigrating. Some 56,000 people moved to Spain and 40,000 to France. More than 20,000 east European workers returned home, predominantly to Poland.

More people are on the move around the world than ever before and Britain is top of the list for many English-speaking migrants. Equally, the rise of multi-national companies is tempting more UK workers to take jobs abroad. And soaring numbers of British "baby boomers", retiring on comfortable pensions, are opting to join thousands of expatriate Britons already abroad.

The ONS statistics showed that 591,000 people arrived in 2006 – an increase of 5,000 on the year before. This prompted criticism from Tories of the Government's immigration policy and calls from anti-immigration campaigners for a tightening of border controls. But there were calls elsewhere for a more balanced approach.

Jeremy Browne, for the Liberal Democrats, accused the Tories of being "small in their outlook", adding: "We should celebrate the contribution that has been made by people from outside the UK while at the same time recognising the pressures on some public services."

His feelings were echoed by others who pointed out Britain's economic need for immigrants. Sir Simon Milton, the chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "Migration is benefiting the country, generating in total over £40bn every year [but] the money that is being generated isn't necessarily finding its way back down to the local level."

Sarah Ormerod, 25: 'From the professional to the sociable, it's been brilliant'

Sarah Ormerod, 25, moved to France last year after clinching a place on a highly competitive scheme in which budding young civil servants move abroad in order to widen their professional experience and broaden their cultural horizons.

Leaving her home in south London for a flat in Strasbourg, she began studying at the elite Ecole Nationale d'Administration and then went on to complete various work placements in cities all over France, arriving eventually in Nice.

"I was given a fantastic opportunity to live in a different country and learn a different language," she says. "I was very keen to go because, career-wise, working abroad can be so worthwhile."

She has not regretted her decision. "My time in France has exceeded my expectations. From the purely professional, being ableto see how policy is made in other EU countries, for example, to the purely sociable, being able to spend the weekend on the beach instead of in Camberwell, it's been brilliant." The difference in cost of living has been a particularly welcome surprise: "For the amount I was paying for a room in the suburbs of London, I can rent a lovely flat just two minutes from the sea front."

It hasn't always been easy, however. Overcoming the stereotypes of the typical "Brit abroad" has proved a challenge. "Some people expect you to be overweight and a binge drinker," says Sarah, who is now working for local authorities in Nice. "Where I am now, in particular, it's hard not to be treated like another invader to the south of France, someone who's here just to inflate property prices."

But the good things far outweigh the problems. "People have been so welcoming. Once they know you're here to learn something about their country and that you want to put something back in to society, they're very keen to get to know you and hear about your experiences. I would recommend it to anyone."

Matt and Sam Brown: 'We only miss the warm beer and Pimms'

Matt Brown and his wife Sam swapped Banbury for Brisbane, only intending to stay a short while. But the Australian outdoors and sunshine proved too great a lure and the couple have no intention of leaving any time soon.

"It's a very healthy lifestyle. We're outdoors a lot and we exercise a lot more. We did a 12km run the other day and we would never have done that in the UK. It's so much easier to get out of bed when it's 25 degrees," says Matt, an IT consultant.

The couple moved to Australia with Matt's job but Sam soon found work with the state government's energy department. "The work-life balance is really better over here, people work to live," she said. "And when people are out enjoying themselves, they may drink but there's not that type of aggression, none of the crowds looking for a fight that you find in Burnley on a Friday night."

With lots of Aussie friends, birthday trips to Uluru, and Christmas looking out over Sydney harbour, there isn't much the couple have had time to miss from back home. "Oh apart from the warm beer," says Matt. "And Pimm's," adds Sam.

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