Councils have responded well to high numbers of migrant workers, but must ensure they become integrated into local communities, an Audit Commission report states. Crossing borders – responding to the local challenges of migrant workers reveals the speed and scale of change for areas dealing with migrant workers has been rapid, and has surprised local authorities. Author of the report, Gill Green, said it was clear to recognise the economic benefits of migrant workers, many of whom were young and made few demands on public services, but also the pressures on councils. She said councils had coped well so far, but needed to play an important role in dealing with change. ‘They can bring together local partners to look at key issues and manage local change,' she said. ‘Local authorities have the opportunity, in dealing with this issue, to show they are indeed community leaders.' One key recommendation is for councils to work alongside partners with the best links to migrant workers, including voluntary and faith organisations, as well as employees and landlords. However, teaching migrant workers English will, according to the report, speed integration and ensure exploitation in the workplace and in housing is minimised. Councils should also tailor responses to individual areas, which will also reduce tensions in areas not used to change. ‘Ethnic difference in some localities can be very visible, and there can be incidents of anti-social behaviour and problems with housing, for example,' said Michael O'Higgins, chairman of the Audit Commission. ‘The single most useful thing local agencies and employers can do is make it easier for migrant workers to speak better English, so they integrate better with local communities and understand public information more easily.'
