THE EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS OF BEING A MIGRANT IN BRITAIN
migrants from the statistics and administrative records generally available. It thus attempts to disentangle the information available on ethnic minorities from that on migrants. This depends on disaggregating commonly used information about ethnic minorities – a category that often includes a significant number of migrants, some quite recently arrived (for example, through family formation) and others simply born abroad – and combining it with other data available. Where possible, information on more recent migrants (those who arrived after 2000) has been included, as this includes data from the 2001 Census and also covers many who may subsequently have applied for indefinite leave, permanent residence or citizenship. Where data on ethnic minorities clearly refers to migrants, it has been used. Two chapters review the equality areas that fall under the Commission’s remit, with a focus on issues of particular interest or concern to migrants. The report then looks at key sectors that influence the lives of migrants: employment; housing; health; care and social services; education; law, legal advice, criminal justice and prisons; income, benefits and financial exclusion; racial harassment and violence. For each of these, the six equality strands have been looked at, although there tends to be more information (if any exists) about race than about the other strands. Finally, the report draws together the conclusions with some recommendations. Because there is very uneven coverage in terms of research and statistical data, some chapters are much more detailed than others, and conclusions point out the gaps and needs for possible further research. This report is written at a time of rapid change in the field: proposals to improve data collection on migrants for planning purposes are being developed; a (frequently illinformed) public debate advances in fits and starts; new policies on immigration, integration and citizenship are being formulated and implemented; a new equality agenda is being applied to these fields, and academic research projects are underway and reporting.
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