New Kids From The Bloc

How many Eastern European migrants have come to work here in the North West? The government reckons it’s about 55,000. But the truth is no-one really knows. Thousands of Poles and others from the old Eastern Bloc countries have come here looking for work. But many find exploitation, low pay and – in some cases – violence and abuse.

All this week, there’ll be special reports and debates across the BBC in the North West. Join us for New Kids from the Bloc, from October 1st – 5th on TV, on radio and online.

"No-one knows how many migrant workers have arrived in any particular area, or how many have moved out", a spokesman for Cheshire County Council told the BBC.

There's nothing unique about the situation in Cheshire. The BBC contacted every local authority in the region - hardly any knew the real number of Eastern European migrant workers now living in their area. "I have no idea how many migrant workers have arrived in the last three years", says Shantele Janes, at Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race Equality Council. "Local authorities have really struggled to get this information too."

The government knows how many migrants have registered for work in an area. In some parts of the north west it’s hundreds, in others, thousands. The official figures show up to 55,000 Eastern European migrants working here. But those official figures can be way out.

In Cumbria, government figures show 3,000 new migrant workers in the county. The council reckons the real figure is closer to 5,000. There are 2,600 Polish workers registered in Crewe – one expert told the BBC the real figure is now thought to be around 6,000.  Official figures show 1,500 Poles working in Lancaster and Morecambe – again, the council believes the real figure is higher. In Halton, official figures show a 400% rise in the number of foreign workers registered in the area – but even so, the council still doesn’t think they’re getting an accurate picture of the real numbers.

Most of the councils who responded to the survey thought the official figures were too low. And those official figures don’t include partners or children of the new migrants.

The uncertainty about who lives and works here makes it harder to provide the right level of funding for local schools, hospitals and other services. And there’s no doubt the influx of thousands of foreign workers can put pressure on services and budgets. 

In Greater Manchester, the amount police have to spend on translators has almost trebled in five years – up from £350,000 in 2001/2 to £950,000 by 2006/7. Lancashire Police spent £456,000 on translators in 2006/7 – up 83% on four years ago.

In Crewe, children of Polish workers weren’t counted when decisions were made to close local primary schools. As a result, the area’s remaining schools are now full to capacity. "Crewe is something of a test-bed for immigrant integration in the UK due to their having been such a large influx - 6,000 - in a town of just 42,000”, says Manchester Metropolitan University researcher Dr Geraldine Lee-Treweek. “The newcomers bring significant economic benefits, but there are obstacles to them mixing with local people who may have negative views about what migrants have to offer as citizens." Those tensions can spill over into violence. Dr Lee-Treweek’s researchers found the new arrivals were sometimes victims of racist abuse and violent attack.

But most local councils told the BBC that new migrant workers are welcome. In Cumbria, the population is ageing – migrant workers tend to be younger, in their twenties or early thirties. If they can be persuaded to settle, the council hopes it will revitalise the area’s economy. It’s a similar picture in Morecambe, where the town’s decline as a seaside resort has left a glut of run-down rented accommodation. Here the local authority thinks the 1,500 Polish workers are adding new life to the area.

Thousands of migrants are now employed in warehouses, kitchens, factories and farms across the north west. Many employers say they can’t manage without them.  At the Two Sisters food processing factory in Morecambe, half the staff are Polish, hailed as hardworking and reliable by bosses there.

Hardworking, but open to exploitation, if the latest research in Sefton, Crewe, Oldham and Rochdale is anything to go by. Most migrant workers do a 50 or 60 hour week, according to new research. Merseyside Social Inclusion Laboratory found that 75% of them get the minimum wage or less. One worker told how he was left with just £1.72 an hour after tax, transport, rent and agency fees were deducted. Others commute daily from Crewe to Manchester for a job paying minimum wage.

So what impact are the New Kids from the Bloc having on the North West? Join the debate...