Examining the Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Immigrants in the UK

This essay examines the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrants in the UK, highlighting the disproportionate effects on their health, employment, and education. It analyzes the decline in immigration due to lockdowns and stricter rules, referencing the Push and Pull theory to explain migration decisions. The essay discusses the vulnerabilities of immigrants, including poverty and poor housing, which increase their risk during the pandemic. It also covers government measures and their limitations in supporting immigrants, referencing UK government policies and statements on immigration rules during COVID-19. The analysis concludes that the pandemic has significantly challenged both immigrants and the UK government, affecting the economy and the well-being of immigrant communities.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FUTURE
DIVERSITY

Topic: Impact of Covid-19 upon immigrants
Essay
From the experience of economic crises and fluctuation in the labor market as well as
social outcomes during pandemic clearly reflects that it is likely to have a disproportionate
impact upon immigrants. Covid-19, causes direct impact upon the immigrant health, job, their
children’s education and language. The present essay also highlights various impacts which
immigrants face during the pandemic and legal aspects took by government in order to solve
their problems. Further, by supporting the views from theoretical framework, essay will shed a
light upon Covid-19 impact on immigrants.
From 2020 onward, entire world has been badly hit by the pandemic which cause adverse
impact upon the overall organization. The report shows that number of passengers arriving to
UK has also fallen sharply since the start of pandemic.
Air travels Of Which:
British
nationals
% British
National
% change with
same month in
2019
January 2020 7082000 2905000 41% +1%
February 2020 6804,900 3463400 51% -2%
March 2020 3815300 2195800 58% -51%
April 2020 112300 63400 56% -99%
The above table clearly shows that there is a sudden fall in the number of arrivals due to
pandemic and such that in April, it is lower down by -99% due to lockdown situation and it
causes adverse impact upon immigrants as well (Fairlie, 2020). From 23 March 2020, UK
announced the lockdown and this is the only reason of sudden fall in immigrants. The study also
reveals that there were more than 127000 lives in Britain which is the highest total in Europe.
However, this also lead to sharp fell in immigrants to Britain (Statistic relating to COVID-19
and immigration system, 2020). As a result, Britain introduced tougher immigration rules at start
of this year with an aim to reduce number of lower skilled migrants. Also, around 67000 left

Britain within a four month in 2020 which is consider the highest range of uncertainty. Thus, it
shows that there is a negative impact upon the immigrants as well as health of the country.
As per the Push and Pull theory it has been realized that there are numerous factors that
influence the people’s decision to migrate. Further, push factor include the dissatisfying
condition and as per the current situation, it is analyzed that political instability, lock down
situation are leading factor that push immigrants to leave the country (Borjas and Cassidy, 2020).
In contrast, push factors are favorable condition which is health care systems, work from home
facilities which country also offering. Thus, these two factors are completely relied upon each
other and also make sure that people are satisfied with the situation. The statistics also shows that
at the end of March 2020, around 313000 more people moved to UK, whereas over the year it is
identified that 715000 people moved to UK and more than 4 lac people left UK. Though
immigration ratio is quite lower as compared to the last many years because UK is considered
one of the successful countries who have abundant resources but still country does not beat the
virus, whereby government took many measures as well (Clark and et.al., 2020).
Figure 1: Share of the employed population who can work from home, by place of birth
From the above graph, it has been analyzed that native born people within UK is highest
who can work from home but the foreign born is lower as compared to other. However, there are
many countries where the rate is higher than UK. This in turn shows that immigrants are
increases but after pandemic, it decreases the numbers as well (van Ingen and et.al., 2021). On
the other side, due to poor condition in origin and transit countries, health issues related to their

migration also enhanced the risk of pandemic situation as well. Therefore, it can be stated that
there is a negative impact upon the immigrants which needs to be minimized by taking effectual
strategies by government.
Due to variety of vulnerabilities which includes higher incidence of poverty,
overcrowded housing conditions and high concentration in jobs, immigrants are the biggest
influencing group within UK due to Covid-19. Moreover, mortality rates among such groups is
could also be significant exceeding to those who are native born population. Thus, it can be
stated that they are more vulnerable position in labor market due to less employment condition
and lower seniority on job. As a result, it also lead to increase the discrimination among such
people that causes adverse impact upon their physical and mental health. Also, there are different
drivers of migration which includes environmental drivers, social drivers, personal characteristic,
political drivers, economic and demographic drivers. Thus, these are changing as per the demand
of environment and then they took decision. In the context of Covid-19, the decision of migrants
is changes as per the fluctuation in the political and economic changes. This in turn encourage
them to leave the country and back to their own homes as well. Further, it makes difficult for the
new EU migrants to come here.
It is also supported by the Lee theory of migration which shows that some factors
definitely affect the decision of a migrant which is place of origin, place of destination, personal
factors ad intervening obstacles. Thus, it is clearly shows that such factor may cause positive and
negative impact upon the migrant people. People shift towards another country by considering
range of key aspects which includes income, healthcare facilities, environment etc. But, the
pandemic hit each place and force migrant to leave the country as well due to increasing the
unemployment rates. As per the Migrant Observatory, it is analyzed that they get good facilities
in UK, however the pandemic affect their lives in negative manner. That is why, most of them
get negative experience from the same (What is the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on
immigrants, 2020).
On the other side, there are some positive impact also analyzed which includes
introduction of new scheme that helps the migrants. For example, online tutorials were set up to
compensate for the temporary closure of immigrants integration courses. Though this facility is
quite difficult for those people who are low educate immigrants. This shows that there is an in

growing unemployment rate and the initial spread of pandemic, this is turn also change the
public opinion against immigrants. Thus, they got support from the government in order to deal
with such situation and each country took different steps that help them to minimize the impact
of covid-19 upon immigrants (The health of migrants in UK, 2020). It is also analyzed that due
to poor housing condition among immigrants which increases the chances of raising infections
and causes adverse impact upon their overall life as well.
As per the NHS guidelines, it is analyzed that migrants people are at higher risk due to
virus because of their poor living conditions and this is turn increases the high risk of chances.
Moreover, people who are already suffer from the health issues then they are in more critical
situation which needs to be cured. Also, migrants who are above 50 are more at high risk
because their living standards are different and it also increases the chances of infected as
compared to normal people. Thus, it can be stated that due to environment and fluctuation in the
economy of a country, migrants does not make decision and as a result, they faces numerous risk
as well. Also, this might cause negative impact upon their physical and mental health as well.
therefore, it is clearly reflected that it affect the health of people and local settings as well.
The UK Government had high affected due to Covid-19 and the immigrants in UK had
also face many challenges. The UK economy is already faced recession through Brexit and then
Covid19 also affect the earnings of people. The immigrants which are stuck up in the country for
long term, UK government is somewhat unable to take care properly for foreign immigrants
during covid-19 effect. The economy is already suffers from recession where high
unemployment rate in country, low spending power of consumers and development of
infrastructure is reduces. There are around 30% immigrants that live in poverty in UK and
overcrowded dwelling is 17%. The poor housing conditions of immigrants are increase the
chances of infection and more likely to extended cohabiting facilities. Immigrants are also live
between high-density building and neighborhood which had high affected the infection to
immigrants due to less distance houses and people. The public transportation which are closed
for few days are closed by government which affect immigrants to travel in city.
Although many country are providing access to health care services but have a small
group on which they are rely upon during coivid-19 infection. The health issues are increased in
country immigrant’s people due to poor condition of living. Especially for immigrants who are

sufferings form heart disease, diabetes and Blood level problems. On the other hand, there
employment are also in UK. The government are unable to take care of immigrants within UK
country. whereas, immigrants from different countries and there governments are supporting
directly or indirectly through financially and emotionally that help them to survive few months
and also import back to their countries with the help of government with all necessary
precautions taken during the impact. It is called situational approaches due to situation that is
arises from Covid-19.
The UK government during Covid-19 lockdown had taken many measure for immigrants
like extension in overstays in UK. The governments had created various laws like The National
Health services (charges of overseas visitors) which shows the charges to UK government will
take from immigrants with effect of Covid-19. This charges are quote high by government for
immigrants which affect the financial position of people living from different countries. The
unemployment immigrants are unable to pay those charges during the infection and other
diseases treatments they are necessary to use (Chandratre and Soman, 2020). The health
protection, employment and support allowance and Universal Credit law, the statutory sick pay
are some laws which are created by UK governs but had affected the immigrants people from
different countries the UK country consist mostly Asian people like Indians and Pakistani’s are
major of immigrants in UK. However, at some point government had fail to provide with
necessary requirements to immigrants people during covid-19 impact. At present, there are less
numbers of Visa for studies and work in UK by people due to economic condition of UK and
government’s laws and regulation for immigrants are not effective that people want to stay for
longer period of time in country and also with the financial requirements for people to survive in
such a fluctuating market.
There are many challenges which are faced by UK government and UK immigrants due
to covid-19. UK governments issues Statements of changes to the Immigration rules in March
2020. The statements of changes to the UK immigrants rules open, expand and streamline for
study or work permit. Traveler are required to declare a reason for travel to government during
the visit in UK country (Bhopal, 2020). There is high reduction I study visa and work visa in UK
country which had affected the UK country economy. The hostile environment make difficult to

stay in UK for immigrants. They are facing problems like access to work restricted as is housing,
bank accounts, health care and zero attention paid to integration. The UK government remain
controlling the immigrants which shows that, reduction in number of immigrants in UK country
and during Covid-19, it affect the immigrants highly where no treatment and initiate from
government side had taken for immigrants. The employment contracts and health care support to
immigrants are not satisfied in UK where they are highly suffered during lockdown.
The infected people form covid-19 is need to suffer for hospitals and medics and if
immigrants, then there are high problems which are faced by people in hospitalities as there new
rules and regulation from government. As country is already facing economy and public health at
initial stage of 2020. The Brexit and covid-19 double attract the economy and already human
rights protection is also happing. Blacks and Asian people in UK are misappropriation impacted
the covid-19. The foods are set by government at a time of Covid- 19 where anyone can take
food and water. The NGP’s name Migration Yorkshire develop a Migrant information hub which
are informing of migrants during covid-19. The information is all about the public services, and
residents rights (Sohrabi and et.al., 2020). They are being working and organizing the workshops
for immigrants like “How to access health services in UK” and information of local service that
are available for them within particular area of UK. Partnership with government, there are
many campaigns are implement in country to save each people of UK weather citizen of
immigrants. They are working as immediate translation of communication and content facilities
related tomcovid-19.
The UK government allotted £20 million euro and NGO leaders are working during
lockdown. They are providing food banks, water and other essential items like medicine and
requirements that are necessary to serve for immigrants. They are facing major challenges during
lockdown as major of immigrants are not able to serve with their own and some of need hospital
immediately due to health condition and infection. The servile of immigrant people is very low
as country economy is already in recession and unemployment rate had increased in country with
high numbers (Moroz, Shrestha and Testaverde, 2020). The big industries of UK had faced
losses and are unable to provide with necessary requirement to their employees. Companies like
Asda, Siemens, and Mitsubishi are calling government for a recovery plan after the Covid and
Brexit impact on economy. Almost every sector is affected in country and immigrants that are

unable to rescue with their respective government had face major of challenges to serve in
uncertainty and to remain strong emotionally and financially.
CONCLUSION
The above report conclude that, immigrants are high affected from Covid-19 within UK
country. UK had highly affected from Covid but the trends had reduce in April 30, 2021.
However, UK country is unable to survive at initial stage and face major rescission in the history
of country. The major of challenges are for migrants is to survey in a country where high
population people areas, high density of people in building that affect the most of UK
immigrants. The unemployment in country had created hard to survive for long period of time in
UK. The immigrants are negatively affected from Covid as they UK government is not focusing
on immigrants and major priority is given to locals. It is hard to survive for those people who
have disease like hearts payments, diabetes and other body infection that is more danger from
Covid. To protect with them, UK government and NGO name Migration Yorkshire help
immigrants to survive in lockdown by various ways.

REFERENCES
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