This report is intended to respond to help local authorities and their partners manage changes brought about by migrant workers moving to an area, by understanding better what is going on locally and developing appropriate strategies and services.
It will be most useful for organisations in areas with limited recent experience of migrant workers. The report also suggests how national and regional responses could be better targeted to support local change.
Migration for work is increasing rapidly, bringing economic benefits and affecting different parts of the country very differently. Local authorities need to take a leading role in coordinating local responses and developing locally tailored responses to locally specific issues.
The government and regional bodies could help local areas more effectively and the Audit Commission will be working with Communities and Local Government and the Improvement and Development Agency in 2007 to help local authorities share good practice.
A framework for local improvements consists of:
- improved communication
- raise standards
- modify services
- minimise local tensions
- understand and build links by pooling data and intelligence
- responding jointly