eternal_spirit
14-05-2007, 06:03 PM
TAKEN FROM MSN UK NEWShttp://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6404/20070514t091616z01nootrep4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Councils criticise new immigrant calculation
LONDON (Reuters) - A new method of calculating the number of migrants "grossly underestimates" the true picture, putting local services under strain, a group of municipal authorities said on Monday.
Council leaders from Westminster, Slough, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham have written to Treasury Minister John Healey, urging that new numbers be used to help determine council funding.
The councils claim that more than 2,000 migrants arrive at Victoria Coach station a week, but new Office for National Statistics figures say London's migrant population has fallen by 60,000.
The councils are offering to compile their own figures following the announcement of the new methodology earlier this month.
They fear a fall in migration numbers could reduce their funding from central government.
Sir Simon Milton, leader of Westminster City Council, said: "We simply do not believe the official statistics remotely represent the true picture of migration into Westminster.
"We are so concerned about the use of these figures for vital council funding that we are lobbying the Treasury in addition to commissioning our own surveys."
Councillor Richard Stokes, leader of Slough Borough Council, said the official migration statistics were "not fit for purpose".
"Estimates have failed to keep pace with what is happening on the ground and public services are suffering as a consequence.
"The migrants that come to Slough are hard working and bring great benefit to the local economy but the council remains severely underfunded because of these poor statistics.
"It is obvious from recent announcements that the new estimates are just not up to the job."
Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, claimed immigration from Eastern Europe had risen by more than 550 percent.
He said: "The government's new figures suggest that we have fewer migrants than three years ago, which is frankly inconceivable.
"The new methodology grossly underestimates the numbers of migrant workers in Hammersmith and Fulham."
Councillor Merrick Cockell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said the loss of funding will put a "considerable strain on our ability" to provide services.
A spokesman for the statistics office said the new way of calculating migration "represents real and valuable improvements".
One of those was the ability to estimate the distribution of immigrants to local areas, it added.
Councils criticise new immigrant calculation
LONDON (Reuters) - A new method of calculating the number of migrants "grossly underestimates" the true picture, putting local services under strain, a group of municipal authorities said on Monday.
Council leaders from Westminster, Slough, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham have written to Treasury Minister John Healey, urging that new numbers be used to help determine council funding.
The councils claim that more than 2,000 migrants arrive at Victoria Coach station a week, but new Office for National Statistics figures say London's migrant population has fallen by 60,000.
The councils are offering to compile their own figures following the announcement of the new methodology earlier this month.
They fear a fall in migration numbers could reduce their funding from central government.
Sir Simon Milton, leader of Westminster City Council, said: "We simply do not believe the official statistics remotely represent the true picture of migration into Westminster.
"We are so concerned about the use of these figures for vital council funding that we are lobbying the Treasury in addition to commissioning our own surveys."
Councillor Richard Stokes, leader of Slough Borough Council, said the official migration statistics were "not fit for purpose".
"Estimates have failed to keep pace with what is happening on the ground and public services are suffering as a consequence.
"The migrants that come to Slough are hard working and bring great benefit to the local economy but the council remains severely underfunded because of these poor statistics.
"It is obvious from recent announcements that the new estimates are just not up to the job."
Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, claimed immigration from Eastern Europe had risen by more than 550 percent.
He said: "The government's new figures suggest that we have fewer migrants than three years ago, which is frankly inconceivable.
"The new methodology grossly underestimates the numbers of migrant workers in Hammersmith and Fulham."
Councillor Merrick Cockell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said the loss of funding will put a "considerable strain on our ability" to provide services.
A spokesman for the statistics office said the new way of calculating migration "represents real and valuable improvements".
One of those was the ability to estimate the distribution of immigrants to local areas, it added.