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New migrant guidelines: A help or just a nanny state?
With continuing numbers of migrants flooding Britain’s shores to start
a new life the Government wants to ensure that councils advise them how
best to fit in to British society.
They plan to introduce information packs on key aspects of everyday British
life.
And the type of advice they plan to offer includes warnings not to spit
in public, not to litter and the importance of queuing in shops.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has said public funding should be aimed
at the whole community, not single ethnic groups, to strengthen what they
have already in common rather than widen the gap between communities.
This latest move by the British Government is part of a range of policies
being promoted to help councils respond to increasing change in their
local community.
Other measures include specialist cohesion teams to provide advice and
support to local authorities, particularly in areas facing rapid change
or experiencing migration for the first time.
Ireland has always enjoyed a long and complex relationship with Britain
and as a result there has always been a steady flow of Irish people crossing
the Irish Sea to start new lives for themselves in the nation’s
towns and cities.
According to the 2001 Census there are approximately 642,000 Irish people
living in Britain — with nearly 221,000 residing in the capital
alone.
But what guidelines did the thousands of people who left the Emerald Isle
have when they first came to Britain as part of the Irish Diaspora?
The Irish Post asked some of those who made the journey how they felt
on arrival, how they have adjusted to British life and what advice, if
any, would they offer to other new arrivals.
The 1950s immigrant
One Irish Post reader recalls the day he decided to leave his home in
Co. Tyrone — back in 1955 at the tender age of 17.
John Morris believes the process of adjustment is mainly about common
sense and respect for other people.
He said: “We had no choice but to leave Ireland back then.
“There were no jobs and it was at a time when tensions were growing
in Northern Ireland.
“My friend and I hadn’t planned where in England we were going
but we decided on Manchester in the end.
“I knew someone else who had made that same journey not long before
me so that’s where we ended up.
“We got accommodation quite quickly through a friend of a friend.
“Although I was only 17, I quickly got a job in Smithfield Fruit
Market.
“I since went on to do various jobs including bus conducting, construction,
haulage and mechanical fitting.”
John quickly made the city a home from home and enjoyed a healthy social
life.
But he claims it was not the same for everyone.
He said: “The people of Manchester were very welcoming and I made
it my home from home.
“Although I was, and still am tee-total, there was lots for me to
do socially.
“I think a lot of the Irish turned to drink back in those days through
loneliness or whatever which was the ruination of many a good man.
“I was lucky to have met my wife and now have two grown-up children.
“The youth of today don’t know hardship and would refuse to
do the work we did back then.
“We just had to get on with it.”
John also feels that having a set of guidelines to adhere to might have
helped make the move less of an ordeal.
He said: “I suppose some guidance or information would have made
the move easier.
“I turn 70 this year and we plan to eventually move home to Ireland
to live.
“But Manchester has certainly been good for me and my family.”
John acknowledges that British culture has changed dramatically and the
youth of today are a lot less tolerant.
He says: “Binge drinking and drugs have taken over but if you watch
the company you keep you can avoid these pitfalls and carry on with your
own life.”
He feels that immigrants must have respect for the country they live in
and its people.
The 1980s migrant
Daragh McDonagh moved from Dublin to London in 1989.
She came to Britain in search of employment because in the 1980s Ireland
had very little to offer young
skilled graduates.
She adjusted to life in Britain very quickly and thinks it is one of the
best cities in the world.
The 40-year-old is a director at top photography agency Orchard and lives
in Central London.
She said: “I had to get out of Dublin back then.
“I knew creatively it didn’t have much to offer — it
was too small.
“It was either train as a nurse or work in a bank — neither
was for me.
“My sister was living here so I stayed with her.
“That was a real help.”
Daragh feels that while there were subtle differences between London and
her home city she would not have wanted a set of guidelines telling her
what to do and what not to do.
She said: “I suppose some practical information regarding Poll Tax
and signing on with a doctor and dentist would have been useful but I
think as an English-speaking girl I would have been offended if I was
handed a pack explaining to me what I must and mustn’t do.
“I remember being amazed by the vast transport system that London
had and I couldn’t believe that the NHS was absolutely free for
everyone.
“Culturally, Britain was no different to Ireland, just everything
was on a much bigger scale.”
Daragh has made the most of her time in Britain and maintains she would
now find it hard to settle back home.
She said: “I made loads of friends, mainly English and didn’t
tend to mix with many Irish.
“It wasn’t like back in the ’50s and ’60s when
all the old boys stood at the bar lamenting about the ole sod back home.
“I would have more problems trying to settle back at home now.
There is much more opportunity over here and the creative community is
so much bigger.
“I think people are more straightforward and you know exactly where
you stand with them.
“I will say one thing though — you need to know the system
over here and make it work for you.”
The noughties migrant
Management consultant Mark Rose came to London from Cork over two-and-a-half-years
ago. The 25-year-old came over with around 20 others from university and
settled in West London where he already knew friends from home.
He says that it can be a bit of a culture shock at first and it can take
getting used to.
He said: “The thing about London is that there is already so many
Irish living here.
“I find that we don’t really integrate because we try to replicate
what we have back home.
“Because the Irish are known to be tight-knit we tend to stick to
what we know and head straight for the Irish scene.
“It’s a sort of a safety net I guess!”
But Mark also appreciates the advantages of living in the British capital.
He said: “The best thing about moving to London is being able to
broaden your horizons. Jobs and money are plentiful if you want to live
that lifestyle.
“You can literally do what you want because no-one knows you —
in London everyone is the odd one out.
“One of the hardest things to get used to is joining the rat-race,
which is unique to London, and getting your work-life balance right.
“Its work hard, play hard ethic might not be for everyone.”
Keen to offer his advice to those thinking of making the move, he said:
“My advice to anyone intending to move over is to do your homework
and don’t underestimate the practical side of things when you make
the move.
“For example — finding accommodation and enough money for
a deposit. Also finding the right area is very important for newcomers.
“I’m sure an information pack on those sorts of topics would
be very useful.” |
