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Many migrant workers 'do not mix' Migrants 'want to settle in UK'
(about 6 hours later)
One in four Eastern European migrants who live in the UK spends no time with British people, a study suggests. A growing number of migrants coming to Britain from Eastern Europe may be intending to stay, a survey suggests.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's report found that integration was a big problem, with a number of migrants unable to speak English. More than a third of women and a quarter of men said they wanted to stay, many of whom had changed their minds since arriving in the UK.
Just one-third had taken English classes and many considered the British to be "polite but distant". The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's report also found that one in four migrants spends no time with British people.
The foundation interviewed 600 migrants before and after European Union enlargement in May 2004. The study, based on interviews in 2002 and after EU enlargement in May 2004, draws on experiences of 600 migrants.
Construction workers, farm labourers and au pairs were among those interviewed about their lifestyles.Construction workers, farm labourers and au pairs were among those interviewed about their lifestyles.
'Treated as equals'
Researchers spoke to working migrants from Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine and Bulgaria.
They found 6% of those surveyed in October 2002 said they would stay in the UK when they first arrived.
Eighteen months later, of those who remained in the UK, just under a quarter said they would stay permanently.
The government should value migrants as more than simply an economic resource Julia UnwinJoseph Rowntree FoundationThe government should value migrants as more than simply an economic resource Julia UnwinJoseph Rowntree Foundation
Researchers spoke to migrants from Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine and Bulgaria. By the end of 2004, 29% of Eastern European migrants said they would stay "for good".
They found that two-thirds of the sample did not know how to register with a doctor. Factors in making a decision included their legal status, income, gender, where their dependents lived, having friends in the UK, and how they were treated, the report said.
Questioned about their experiences in Britain, two-thirds of the sample did not know how to register with a doctor.
Almost half of the migrants had received no information about conditions attached to their immigration status.Almost half of the migrants had received no information about conditions attached to their immigration status.
Four out of 10 said Britons treated them as equals, but three out of 10 said they did not.Four out of 10 said Britons treated them as equals, but three out of 10 said they did not.
Just one-third had taken English classes and many felt they had only limited contact with British people.
A waitress from the Ukraine said they "do not let you into their circles".
Facing challengesFacing challenges
The foundation's director, Julia Unwin, said the research showed that the government should value migrants as "more than simply an economic resource".The foundation's director, Julia Unwin, said the research showed that the government should value migrants as "more than simply an economic resource".
She said ministers "must continue to place importance on ensuring their integration into wider British society, even when their stay is expected to be temporary".She said ministers "must continue to place importance on ensuring their integration into wider British society, even when their stay is expected to be temporary".
Those who live in the country very often came to the UK with their families and friends, so they live together, they share accommodation Michal PorzyczkowskiPoland Street Association
A spokesman for the communities department said he recognised that "both new migrants and more settled communities can face challenges when migration patterns change".A spokesman for the communities department said he recognised that "both new migrants and more settled communities can face challenges when migration patterns change".
He said a report by the Commission on Integration and Cohesion next month would put forward "practical proposals to encourage better integration".He said a report by the Commission on Integration and Cohesion next month would put forward "practical proposals to encourage better integration".
The commission would encourage measures including employers providing English lessons for their staff, he said.The commission would encourage measures including employers providing English lessons for their staff, he said.
Those who live in the country very often came to the UK with their families and friends, so they live together, they share accommodation Michal PorzyczkowskiPoland Street Association
But the director of research group Civitas, David Green, said some people in the UK were finding it hard to compete with these newcomers.
"The government itself uses the argument that having all these extra people in the Labour market is reducing inflation, which it can only do by keeping down wages, so it is making it harder for people to work their way out of poverty, " he told Five Live Breakfast.
Michal Porzyczkowski, of the Poland Street Association, told the BBC there was a big difference between migrants living in towns, and those who had settled in the country.Michal Porzyczkowski, of the Poland Street Association, told the BBC there was a big difference between migrants living in towns, and those who had settled in the country.
"Those who live in the country very often came to the UK with their families and friends, so they live together, they share accommodation together and they have the same job together."Those who live in the country very often came to the UK with their families and friends, so they live together, they share accommodation together and they have the same job together.
"So very often they create a sort of bubble, and they don't go outside.""So very often they create a sort of bubble, and they don't go outside."
Researchers from Oxford and Sussex universities conducted interviews for the foundation.Researchers from Oxford and Sussex universities conducted interviews for the foundation.