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Councils seek more migrant funds Councils seek more migrant funds
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Immigration is placing increased pressure on services such as schools and hospitals, a report has claimed.Immigration is placing increased pressure on services such as schools and hospitals, a report has claimed.
The Local Government Association is calling for a £250m-a-year fund to help regions struggling to cope with unexpected influxes of migrants.The Local Government Association is calling for a £250m-a-year fund to help regions struggling to cope with unexpected influxes of migrants.
It wants National Insurance numbers, GP registrations and schools census data used to help track population changes.It wants National Insurance numbers, GP registrations and schools census data used to help track population changes.
The report comes after ministers admitted estimates of migrant workers since 1997 were wrong by 300,000.The report comes after ministers admitted estimates of migrant workers since 1997 were wrong by 300,000.
The LGA, which represents 400 councils across England and Wales, commissioned the report, which was carried out by the Institute of Community Cohesion.The LGA, which represents 400 councils across England and Wales, commissioned the report, which was carried out by the Institute of Community Cohesion.
'Very flexible''Very flexible'
It surveyed more than 100 councils and public bodies and found most reported pressure on services - with extra costs being met "at the expense of mainstream budgets".It surveyed more than 100 councils and public bodies and found most reported pressure on services - with extra costs being met "at the expense of mainstream budgets".
The report highlights seven "key issues" for public services, including the impact on schools, child protection services, language barriers, housing, community relations, crime - often against migrants - and health.The report highlights seven "key issues" for public services, including the impact on schools, child protection services, language barriers, housing, community relations, crime - often against migrants - and health.
Other findings include:
  • Many schools have difficulty coping with frequently changing populations from a wide range of cultural backgrounds
  • Children of some migrant workers are working longer hours than permitted by law
  • There are too few English language classes
  • Many migrants go to hospital A&E for treatment rather than registering with a doctor, because they do not understand how healthcare operates in Britain
  • Many migrants are living in homes which are in a poor state of repair - and sometimes a fire risk
  • The numbers of migrants claiming homelessness help or being rehoused is increasing in some areas
The LGA concerns come in the wake of a report by the Home Office's Migration Impacts Forum, which said nearly every region in the UK had difficulties in housing, health, education and crime - due to increased migration.The LGA concerns come in the wake of a report by the Home Office's Migration Impacts Forum, which said nearly every region in the UK had difficulties in housing, health, education and crime - due to increased migration.
'Distorting effects''Distorting effects'
Some councils complained that official statistics on population - used to calculate their funding - underestimate the number of migrants they are receiving.Some councils complained that official statistics on population - used to calculate their funding - underestimate the number of migrants they are receiving.
Slough Borough Council believes it will be shortchanged by up to £15m in government grants up to 2011. Westminster City Council says it will lose out by £12m. No-one has a real grasp of where, or for how long, migrants are settling, so much-needed funding for local services isn't getting to the right places Sir Simon MiltonLGA chairman Tories hailed on immigration Slough Borough Council believes it will be short-changed by up to £15m in government grants up to 2011. Westminster City Council says it will lose out by £12m. No-one has a real grasp of where, or for how long, migrants are settling, so much-needed funding for local services isn't getting to the right places Sir Simon MiltonLGA chairman Tories hailed on immigration
The LGA says a £250m-a-year contingency fund would help local authorities experiencing high rates of immigration and called for an overhaul of migration statistics.The LGA says a £250m-a-year contingency fund would help local authorities experiencing high rates of immigration and called for an overhaul of migration statistics.
LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton said: "Official statistics on how many migrants are coming and where they are going are inadequate.LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton said: "Official statistics on how many migrants are coming and where they are going are inadequate.
"No-one has a real grasp of where, or for how long, migrants are settling, so much-needed funding for local services isn't getting to the right places.""No-one has a real grasp of where, or for how long, migrants are settling, so much-needed funding for local services isn't getting to the right places."
He said immigration had been good for the economy and some industries would collapse without it, but added: "The problem is that the money that is being generated isn't necessarily finding its way back down to the local level."He said immigration had been good for the economy and some industries would collapse without it, but added: "The problem is that the money that is being generated isn't necessarily finding its way back down to the local level."
'Open door''Open door'
Conservative leader David Cameron said there should be a limit on immigration as people were concerned about the pressure on health and education services when the population increases.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "This report confirms what we have been saying for some time - Labour's 'open door' approach to immigration is placing huge pressure on public services and housing.Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "This report confirms what we have been saying for some time - Labour's 'open door' approach to immigration is placing huge pressure on public services and housing.
"This is being made worse by shoddy government statistics which underestimate the numbers and have left councils short of the resources to take this increased strain.""This is being made worse by shoddy government statistics which underestimate the numbers and have left councils short of the resources to take this increased strain."
Liberal Democrat communities spokesman Andrew Stunell said it was impossible for councils to cope with rapid changes in population.Liberal Democrat communities spokesman Andrew Stunell said it was impossible for councils to cope with rapid changes in population.
"Councils in hot-spot areas have been telling ministers for several years that the national figures were wrong, and that they urgently needed extra help," he said."Councils in hot-spot areas have been telling ministers for several years that the national figures were wrong, and that they urgently needed extra help," he said.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said she recognised that migration could put a strain on public services and that "some individual local authorities are experiencing more challenges than others."Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said she recognised that migration could put a strain on public services and that "some individual local authorities are experiencing more challenges than others."
She added that the government had allocated more resources over three years to support councils, which amounted to £960m in the first year alone.She added that the government had allocated more resources over three years to support councils, which amounted to £960m in the first year alone.
"On top of that we have also announced £50m to help local communities manage cohesion and promote integration," she said."On top of that we have also announced £50m to help local communities manage cohesion and promote integration," she said.
Have your local public services been affected by the unexpected influxes of migrants? What could councils do to promote integration? Send us your comments using the form below.
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Have your local public services been affected by the unexpected influxes of migrants? What could councils do to promote integration? Send us your comments using the form below. Name: