Local Distribution and Subsequent Mobility of Immigrants Measured from the School Census in England

This paper provides an examination of the initial location of recent pupil immigrants in England and their subsequent internal migration and emigration. The unique analysis is conducted using data from the School Census, with a focus on migrants from A8 countries between 2003 and 2007. Recent pupil immigrants, including A8 migrants, initially concentrate in London, though A8 pupil immigrants are much more geographically dispersed than all other pupil immigrants. Overall, pupil immigrants are highly geographically mobile in the short period following their arrival. This may reflect an inability to select appropriate housing and environments when families first arrive because they are limited to low-cost private housing. A8 pupil immigrants, in particular, have tended to move away from the areas where they are initially concentrated through internal migration. On average, 10% of all pupil immigrants are also identified as emigrants in the period between 2004 and 2007, suggesting that permanent settlement in England is not the experience for many immigrant families. These findings contribute to policy-based migration research indicating where resources to assist immigrant groups should be directed and whether, as a result of subsequent dispersal, resources will need to be redistributed as immigrants move within England and beyond.