Unpacking to stay – when did Britain become a home?

Six immigration stories

Enquiry question: What impact has ‘freedom of movement’ had on the UK?

Unpacking to stay: when did Britain become a home?

I will understand that people are free to move within the European Union

I will be able to demonstrate understanding that EU policies affect migration

I will be able to analyse some causes and consequences of EU freedom of movement on migration to and from UK

Aim: To understand the impact that EU freedom of movement has had on the UK

Do now: What do you know about the European Union?

What?

Where? Why?

Who?

How? Where?

Main: What is ‘Freedom of Movement’?

The EU allows free movement of people between its member states.

Freedom of movement allows citizens of the European Union (EU) to move to, live in, and in certain circumstances access the welfare system of the EU country to which they have moved.

This fundamental right to cross intra-European borders can take people in search of work and education opportunities, a higher standard of living, or better weather!

It is a core principle, enshrined in the EU treaties, and has been in operation since the creation of the European Economic Community (Treaty of Rome, 1957). It is primarily designed to support the economies of EU countries by providing a mobile work force.

What is ‘Freedom of Movement’?

Originally, the EU gave free movement rights only to people who moved to another member state to seek work there or become self-employed.

However, they have been extended to other categories of EU citizens who are not workers or self-employed. These citizens have fewer rights because they are not contributing in the same way to the host country’s economy.

In a way, this opening up of borders is a return to the past. Prior to the start of World War I in 1914, there were virtually no border controls or restrictions across the continent. During the war, however, the crossing of borders by foreigners began to be considered a security concern, and it was at this time that passports and visas were introduced in Europe.

What is ‘Freedom of Movement’? What can you remember?

The European ______ allows its citizens to move ______ between its _______ countries and _____ there if they choose.

This fundamental right allows people can go in search of a better ____ , education, ________ of living, or _______.

It is a system which tries to ________Europe’s workforce and support its ________ development.

It is not as unusual as we may think! Passports and _____ were only introduced on the continent during _________ to increase _______ .

Visas SecurityEconomicWorld War I

Mobilise

UnionFreelyMember

Settle Job

Standard Climate

What is ‘Freedom of Movement’? Answers

The European Union allows its citizens to move freely between its member countries and settle there if they choose.

This fundamental right allows people can go in search of a better job, education, standard of living, or climate.

It is a system which tries to mobilise Europe’s workforce and support its economic development.

It is not as unusual as we may think! Passports and visas were only introduced on the continent during World War I to increase security.

Main 2: Freedom of Movement Judgement Jigsaw

What might the advantages be?Why might it be a good idea?

What might the disadvantages be?What difficulties could it present?

In your group consider…

Or…

Freedom of Movement Judgement Jigsaw

What might the advantages be?Why might it be a good idea?

What might the disadvantages be?What difficulties could it present?

Now: share the ideas your group discussed with your partner to get a fuller picture

Got some new and different ideas to add? go ahead!

Judgement Jigsaw - FeedbackAdvantages Disadvantages

Judgement Jigsaw - Feedback

Advantages Disadvantages People are able to go in search of better living and working conditions

Brain drain - countries which have a high percentage of emigration lose a lot of their young and most qualified citizens

Reduces social pressure in the poorest regions allowing the lives of those who stay to improve

Inequality across different member states could lead some to be more attractive than others and put pressure on key services

Allows the work force to easily move where they are needed, helping to fill job vacancies in many EU countries

Some people are concerned that freedom of movement will result in too many people competing for jobs

Should encourage tolerance and understanding among people of different cultures, breaking down harmful stereotypes and prejudices.

May actually result in tension building over national identity and resources

EU members are interdependent and use the EU to cooperate to achieve a greater, collective good

Some countries are more committed to a cooperative Europe than others

More than 14 million EU citizens are resident in another member state - 2.8% of the total EU population (Nov 2014)

Different groups will be in charge of investigating the impact ‘freedom of movement’ has had on the UK

They will present their findings to the rest of the class before we discuss our thoughts on this question together.

What impact has freedom of movement had on the UK?

What impact has freedom of movement had on the UK?

Group 1: Data Go to the interactive timeline of UK migration data to see the figures. Look carefully at both immigration and emigration.

What is the general trend of the immigration graph? What is the general trend of the emigration graph? Is this how you expected these graphs to look? Why? What interesting patterns can you see in the EU data? What

about the last 5 years? Where are people moving to and from most frequently? What conclusions can you draw?

What impact has freedom of movement had on the UK?

Group 2: Economic

A recent study by the Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration at University College London indicates that migrants added £20bn to the UK economy in the decade 2001 to 2011.

The study also shows that migrants from the EU paid significantly more in taxes than they claimed in benefits or transfers for education, health or other expenditures. This is entirely consistent with previous studies, all of which have shown that the benefits of immigration outweigh its costs.

In most of the EU countries studied in 2013 the portion of EU migrants who actually received benefits was below 5%. However, David Cameron’s government seem particularly focused on limiting what they call "benefit tourism", saying it is unacceptable for jobless migrants to "shop around" in the EU for social welfare. That is why his government is insisting on tighter controls.

What impact has freedom of movement had on the UK?Group 3: Political – Government Response

• UK Home Secretary Theresa May said free movement of workers must not lead to mass migration, and she wants to see changes to the rules (Dec 13).

• The UK wants the power to cap the numbers of EU migrants, but other European countries such as Germany find this an unacceptable breach of the EU’s fundamental principles. “It is right that the national

governments of the EU reform the way free movement rules work”

Theresa May

In your own words, briefly explain how the government has responded to freedom of movement in the last 5 years.

Do you agree the UK with the changes Theresa May and David Cameron want to make? Why/why not?

What impact has freedom of movement had on the UK?

Group 4: Political - Rise of UKIP

UKIP has slowly grown in popularity since launching in 1991. The UK Independence Party is hostile towards the EU and would like the UK to leave. Freedom of movement was a big part of the British debate in the May 2014 European

elections. UKIP, hostile to the EU, came first, winning 24 seats. Previously it had 13 MEPs in the European Parliament.

What point is UKIP trying to make in these campaign posters? How do they communicate these ideas? Are they effective? Why/Why not? Why might UKIP be getting more popular?

Group 5: Social

What impact has freedom of movement had on the UK?

An EU wide survey suggests freedom of movement is seen as the EU's most positive achievement, ahead of peace in Europe, the euro and student exchanges.

Opinion polls and the rise of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) suggest that worries about immigration have fuelled widespread British scepticism or hostility towards the EU and its freedom of movement policy.

The media have also commented widely on migration (see image right, from ‘Adopting Britain’, Southbank Centre).

Some of the inflammatory rhetoric around migration has prompted calls that the UK needs a national museum which examines all of our migration stories, reaching back through the centuries to encourage reflection on our long and diverse migration history.

The Migration Museum Project has been working since 2012 to create the UK’s first dedicated Migration Museum and open up discussion in a fresh and engaging way.

Listen to each group and note down key ideas around the ‘impact’ of free movement on the UK

What do you think is the most significant idea you have learned from another group?

Challenge: Order your notes from the most significant to the least by putting a number beside each point.

What impact has freedom of movement had on the UK?

Freedom of Movement – Under Review

The Schengen Agreement (1985) abolished internal borders, enabling passport-free movement between a large number of European countries.

Schengen is now under review.

Do We Reform?

Do you believe that freedom of movement should remain, be reformed, or removed entirely? Why/Why not?

• Answer the question above. Begin by acknowledging the side of the argument you agree with least, but eventually make your view clear to the reader. Use evidence from your learning to support your opinions.

Step 1 = Acknowledge the other sideWhile it is clear that…On one hand…One can concede that…

Step 2 = Turn the tablesHowever…On the other hand…Conversely…

Step 3 = Your OpinionFurthermore, it seems to me that…In addition, it seems true that…What’s more, it is clear that…

Step 4 = JustifyFor example…Evidence to support this can be found…This is supported by…