New Delhi: Amid heated debates over immigration across the globe, a new report provides a ray of optimism.
A recent report released in London underlines that Indian migration to the UK has played a crucial role in boosting the country’s workforce and economic resilience, mostly across healthcare, engineering and technology sectors.
The report was launched last week at the House of Lords complex. The White Paper says that Indian migrants have been a “boon rather than a burden” to the British economy because of their strong deployable skills and high adaptability.
The study is titled ‘Migration of the Indian Diaspora to the UK: Shaping economic resilience, cultural dynamism and global influence’. It was jointly brought out by Aston University’s India Centre and policy group Here & Now 365.
Focus on ‘fourth wave’
The report takes a deep dive into four major waves of Indian migration to Britain since the Second World War. And there is a detailed focus on the current post-Brexit “fourth wave”.
The study points out that the current wave of migration has been shaped by stricter visa policies, labour crunch and changing global mobility trends. It emphasised that Indian professionals have become key to sectors facing acute labour dearth, including health and social care, digital services, construction, and advanced engineering.
What the White Paper said
The White Paper stresses: “The aim is to move the debate beyond ‘burden or boon’ and the focus is on what migration delivers in terms of jobs, services, and value created.”
“The findings resonate that skills- and needs-based migration matches people with the roles that the country needs, while upholding standards,” the study adds.
It points out, “The aim is to balance opportunity with system pressures to ensure speedy deployment where shortages are acute, improve retention and progression (especially in adult social care), and ensure gains are reaped across the country.”
The study underlines that Indian migrants have become a stable and visible pillar of Britain’s workforce, helping essential public services while driving long-term economic growth.
The report also advocates a shift towards “smarter migration.” It suggests clearer and more predictable visa pathways, quicker recognition of professional qualifications, and stronger integration policies which can go a long way in making mobility sustainable. It says that immigration policy should be more closely aligned with employer needs.