This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7137621.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Councils to call for migrant fund Councils call for migrants fund
(about 4 hours later)
Local authorities are expected to tell a House of Lords select committee that £250m should be set aside to support areas under pressure from immigration. Local authorities have told a House of Lords select committee that £250m should be set aside to support areas under pressure from immigration.
The Local Government Association (LGA), representing 400 councils in England and Wales, says a contingency fund would help shore up public services. The Local Government Association (LGA), representing 400 councils in England and Wales, said a contingency fund would help shore up public services.
The LGA will also call for a change to the system used to measure migration. The LGA also called for a change to the system used to measure migration.
Leaders from Westminster, Slough and Boston councils are due to give evidence at the immigration inquiry. Leaders from Westminster, Slough and Boston councils gave evidence at the immigration inquiry.
'Real grasp''Real grasp'
Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the LGA, has spoken in the past about the problems migration throws up for communities. Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the LGA, said he told the committee that while the country benefited from migration, the benefits were being felt nationally and the costs felt locally.
He says he accepts migration benefits the country by generating £40bn every year. Without it, industries including fruit picking and residential care risk collapse. There needed to be a significant improvement in how the numbers coming in were counted, he said.
But, he says, the money being generated is not finding its way back down to the local level. "We need to ensure those councils that are getting big increases have enough money to pay for public services," he said.
"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 says. It's very difficult to know who you have got living in a community at any one time Mick Gallagher, leader of Boston Council
It's an issue for a lot of councils but it's not a problem Tracy Turner, of Solace He highlighted language classes, housing and the turnover of pupils in schools as areas which can come under pressure.
As a result children's services and housing are coming under growing pressure which can lead to unnecessary tension and conflict, he explains. He also said he wanted other sources, such as GP registrations and National Insurance numbers, to be used to get a clearer picture of migration movements.
He says he wants other sources, such as GP registrations and National Insurance numbers, to be used to get a clearer picture of migration movements. Mick Gallagher, chief executive of Boston Council in Leicestershire, told the select committee: "We have experienced a significant growth that has been completely under-represented."
Clear information A low unemployment rate, lots of work on the land and reasonably priced housing have attracted a large number of workers to the area.
Tracy Turner, from the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (Solace), says she will also be stressing the need for more accurate population measurements at the select committee hearing. He cited Boston's estimated population as 79,000 - about a quarter higher than the official estimate of 58,000.
She says without accurate statistics, it is difficult for health services to know whether they need extra staff or information to be translated. He said the council had looked at other sources including the number of children in schools with English as a second language which he estimates stands at 50%.
The greatest need, she believes, is for clear and simple information, yet there is no money in council budgets for this. "It's very difficult to know who you have got living in a community at any one time and to try to determine the cost of that in financial terms is extremely difficult," he said.
An influx of migrant workers can put a strain on public services
This has meant Eastern Europeans have not known to register with a GP and instead go straight to hospital, she says.
Some have also decided against sending their children to the local Catholic school thinking they are fee-paying as they often are in Eastern Europe, she says.
Of the recent influx of migrant workers particularly in rural areas, she says: "It's an issue for a lot of councils but it's not a problem.
"I think people are genuinely concerned to ensure that any new arrivals are able to integrate and get housing and employment, and become part of the local community.
"This applies to Eastern Europeans as much as people moving into new towns from other parts of the UK."
Hidden populationHidden population
Westminster, home to Victoria coach station, a gateway for eastern Europeans seeking employment in the UK, has long been campaigning for a change in the way London's population is calculated.Westminster, home to Victoria coach station, a gateway for eastern Europeans seeking employment in the UK, has long been campaigning for a change in the way London's population is calculated.
It says current methodology is flawed and the reality in Westminster is that at least 11,000 short-term migrants at any one time are missed out by official estimates. It says current methodology is flawed and in Westminster that at least 11,000 short-term migrants at any one time are missed out by official estimates.
It has also estimated a further 13,000 illegal immigrants are living there.It has also estimated a further 13,000 illegal immigrants are living there.
The council does not receive funding for the hidden population and says it loses up to £18m in government grants as well.The council does not receive funding for the hidden population and says it loses up to £18m in government grants as well.
Boston Borough Council in Leicestershire will be represented by its chief executive Mick Gallagher. An influx of migrant workers can put a strain on public services
Official figures from mid-2006 put its population at 58,300 but taking into account GP and school registration, the figure is thought to be between 65,000 and 75,000. Tracy Turner, from the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (Solace), told BBC News ahead of the hearing that the greatest need was for clear, simple information, but she said there was no money in council budgets for this.
A low unemployment rate, lots of work on the land and reasonably priced housing have attracted a large number of workers to the area. This meant eastern Europeans did not know to register with a GP and instead were going straight to hospital, she said.
Some also decided against sending their children to the local Catholic school thinking they were fee-paying as they often are in Eastern Europe, she said.
Of the recent influx of migrant workers particularly in rural areas, she said: "It's an issue for a lot of councils but it's not a problem.
"I think people are genuinely concerned to ensure that any new arrivals are able to integrate and get housing and employment, and become part of the local community.
"This applies to Eastern Europeans as much as people moving into new towns from other parts of the UK."