Since 2021, the United Kingdom has experienced unprecedented levels of mass immigration, influenced by factors such as the war in Ukraine, post-Brexit immigration policies, and pent-up demand for study-related immigration following COVID-19 travel restrictions.
While recent data indicates a 20% reduction in net migration between June 2023 and June 2024, the UK still saw an influx of approximately 1.2 million long-term immigrants in the year ending June 2024. Notably, 86% of these immigrants were non-EU nationals, with a significant portion arriving for study or work-related reasons.
The surge in immigration, particularly of illegal migrants – mostly unaccompanied males of military age – has profound implications for the UK’s health services, housing market, and overall social infrastructure. This analysis explores the challenges posed by increased net immigration and argues that the resultant strain on resources is detrimental to the UK.
Impact on Health Services
The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of the UK’s welfare system, providing healthcare free at the point of delivery. However, the system is under increasing pressure due to rising demand and limited resources. The influx of immigrants, especially those without legal status, exacerbates this strain in several ways:
Increased Demand for Services: Immigrants contribute to population growth, leading to higher demand for healthcare services. While some migrants are of working age and may initially require less medical attention, over time, their healthcare needs align with those of the general population. However, whilst many illegals are not allowed to work, and so do not contribute, they are entitled to taxpayer funded medical services.This increased demand can lead to longer waiting times and stretched resources.
Barriers to Access and Public Health Risks: Undocumented migrants often face significant barriers when accessing healthcare due to fear of arrest or deportation. A study found that undocumented individuals were three times more likely to fear arrest when seeking NHS care. This fear may deter them from accessing necessary medical services, potentially leading to untreated communicable diseases, which pose public health risks.
Financial Strain: While some argue that immigrants contribute more to the NHS than they consume, this perspective often overlooks the immediate and localised pressures on healthcare facilities, especially in areas with high immigrant populations. The costs associated with providing care to a rapidly growing population can outpace the financial contributions made through taxes, leading to budgetary shortfalls and resource allocation challenges.
Impact on Housing
The UK’s housing market has long grappled with issues of supply and affordability. Mass immigration intensifies these challenges through:
Increased Demand Leading to Higher Prices: Migration contributes to population growth, which in turn increases the demand for housing. Given that the supply of housing in the UK has increased more slowly than demand, migration may be expected to increase housing costs. The Migration Advisory Committee found in 2018 that a one percentage point increase in the UK’s population due to migration increased house prices by 1%.
Exploitation of Housing by Criminal Elements: The surge in immigration has, in some instances, led to the exploitation of housing by criminal networks. A notable example is the conversion of rental properties into illegal cannabis farms by rogue letting agencies.
In one case, a retiree rented out his property, only to later discover it had been transformed into a cannabis farm, causing extensive damage. Such activities not only degrade housing quality but also pose safety risks to communities.
Pressure on Rental Markets: Immigration increased private rents by as much as 7%, according to recent research. It also fuelled demand for another 205,000 rental homes, underlining the growing pressures and how many are now stuck in a never-ending cycle of unaffordable housing.
Impact on Social Services
Beyond health and housing, increased immigration places additional burdens on various social services:
Education: A growing population necessitates more educational facilities, teachers, and resources. Schools in areas with high immigrant populations may face overcrowding, leading to larger class sizes and strained educational resources.
Welfare Services: While many immigrants are gainfully employed, those who are not may rely on social welfare programs. This increased demand can strain welfare budgets and impact the quality and availability of services for all residents.
Community Cohesion: Rapid demographic changes can lead to challenges in social integration, potentially fostering tensions between different community groups. Ensuring cohesive communities requires investment in integration programs, language services, and cultural education.
While immigration may bring cultural diversity and may – or may not – offer economic benefits, the current scale of net immigration, particularly involving illegal migrants, presents significant challenges for the UK’s health services, housing market, and social infrastructure.
The resultant strain on resources can lead to diminished quality of services, increased costs, and social tensions. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that considers the benefits of controlled, legal immigration while implementing effective measures to curb illegal migration and mitigate its adverse effects on society.
