UK Migration Controversies: A Simple Guide

Paper written for the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) to provide an overview of the current state of research evidence on migration and its impacts on UK economy and society with the aim of helping non-experts to better understand some of the debates in this complex and politically sensitive area. This is not intended to provide exhaustive answers to every contentious argument in relation to migration. The implications of migration are less well understood in some areas than others. The complex relationship between economic, social and political dimensions can make it difficult to draw clear conclusions: there may be a mixture of positive and negative consequences for different groups in society. Instead, the Royal Geographical Society – as the largest and most active scholarly society in the world – responds here to ten key arguments that are currently in circulation in the UK by setting out, in simple terms, where the weight of the research evidence lies.