Unpacking migration: regional diversity and impact on services

In November, there was a series of migration webinars hosted by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) in collaboration with CPC and Public Policy Southampton. Leading experts came together to discuss the social and economic impacts of migration, and the outlook from migration modelling.

In the UK, the topic of migration is one of the most debated issues facing both policy-makers and the British public. It is multidimensional, complex and uncertain. Many members of the UK Parliament are deeply interested in migration and its implications, not only for the economy, but also for society and local communities.

CPC Director, Professor Jane Falkingham OBE, and CPC member, Professor Jakub Bijak, spoke at two of the webinars which were open to the public. Professor Falkingham spoke at the ‘Economy, society and migration’ event, highlighting CPC’s research on international student migration. Professor Bijak presented at the ‘Forecasting migration’ session, speaking about migration modelling and uncertainty. There was a panel discussion at each webinar with leading migration experts from universities and the third sector, UK parliamentarians and policy officials, followed by Q&A sessions. As part of the series, there were also closed briefings for Parliamentarians and staff to allow them to have informal discussions with key experts. As the government plans its new immigration policy, it is vital that UK Parliamentarians hear evidence and impartial independent research. In advance of upcoming legislation scrutiny, these webinars have helped inform policy debate and contribute to wellinformed policies.

Further reading:

International students in the UK and Brexit (CPC Policy Briefing 59)

Intentions and outcomes of graduating international students (CPC Policy Briefing 43)

How Can Europe Better Prepare for Future Migration Movements? (Population and Policy Brief 26)