Immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria - burden or asset?

Migration remains a key theme in many Geography GCSE and A level specifications and is often studied in the context of the broader topic of population change. The lifting of restrictions on migration from Romania and Bulgaria to the UK in January 2014 has brought the issues back into the spotlight. A University College London report released at the beginning of the month told how migrants from the European Economic area (EEA) made a “significant contribution to the UK economy” but this does not mean potential new immigrants will be welcomed with open arms by everybody. This BBC News reports summarises the key findings.

The flow of migrants can play a crucial role in the dynamics of a nation’s population – having an impact not only on total numbers but structure as well. The UK is essentially populated by migrants – the country has received wave after wave of migrants for thousands of years. However, migration can be seen as a contentious subject, a political “hot potato” which draws out a variety of opinions. For a long time, discussing this emotive subject was tricky ground for politicians and the topic has been used by some, including newspapers, to push a particular agenda (there are obvious cross-curricular links with Politics and History here).

The recent news that migrants have contributed £25 billion to the economy in the last decade is one argument to support in-migration from the EEA – it contradicts fears expressed by some that migrants create an unsustainable burden on the economy. In a country with an ageing population such as the UK, the influx of economically active, who will play an active part in the labour force, could be seen as a real and essential benefit. The report from University College London also revealed that these migrants are less likely to claim benefits or live in social housing than people already living in Britain. Channel 4 news - Britain benefits from immigrants' contribution

Compare this story to sources outlining the the other side of the argument – for example the Daily Express’ “crusade” to bar further immigration from Romania and Bulgaria. The text and photographs are worthy of analysis as they represent tools employed to push the anti-immigrant agenda: The Daily Express' "crusade" against new immigrants

The Daily Mail has also written alarmist headlines about poor immigrants flocking from Romania, effectively leaving villages in some areas empty: Daily Mail reports on poor Romanians preparing to enter UK

This topic presents rich opportunities for discussion and debate. It also allows students to look at sources critically – to consider what is put forward, how and why.