A new report finds evidence of successful approaches to refugee integration in high-income countries, with long-term employment outcomes improved by early and strategic intervention.
Research from Isabel Ruiz and COMPAS Director Carlos Vargas-Silva cites evidence of successful integration of refugees based on a number of practical interventions, which include reducing the waiting time for asylum decisions, strategic placement in different areas of the country, language training and bespoke job search assistance.
With further immigration reform expected later this year, this report recommends that the Government makes a formal evaluation of all programmes and policies related to refugees. "The evidence-based approach taken by other high-income countries, including France, Switzerland and the United States, provides a number of examples of best practice of successful refugee integration that could also improve the employment prospects of new arrivals in the UK", says Carlos Vargas-Silva.
David Simmonds CBE MP, the Conservative chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration, expressed support for exploring the evidence-based findings in this report: “There is a danger that refugees can become a burden on local communities, not because they are burdensome but because we have not set them up for success.
“At a time when public spending is likely to come under increased scrutiny, we need to harness the skills and talents of everyone in our country to enable successful integration and to prevent wasting taxpayers’ money”.
The report will be launched at a meeting of the APPG on Migration on Monday 1 February, 4pm - 5pm, alongside a panel of parliamentarians and integration experts.
Read the report here:
