Citizens' assembly backs prioritising British workers in immigration
A citizens' assembly on immigration has reached a consensus to prioritise British workers while treating migrants with dignity and respect.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A citizens' assembly on immigration has reached a consensus that British workers should be prioritised, while migrants should be treated with dignity and respect. The assembly, organised by MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee, brought together members of the public from across the political spectrum to discuss work-related immigration.
Held in Leicester, a city where nearly 60% of residents are from an ethnic background, the assembly heard from experts who answered questions and dispelled myths about immigration. Participants included Kim, who has concerns about levels of immigration and is considering voting for reform, and Eden, who feels there are stereotypes about migrants and worries about the rhetoric towards newcomers.
The discussions covered a range of issues, including work visas, the NHS surcharge, and the difficulty of filling some jobs with British workers. Experts explained that to get a work visa in the UK, you typically need a sponsor, and that there is no quota. They also noted that migrants are required to pay an NHS charge of about £1,000 per year for each year of their visa.
By the end of the first day, there was consensus that British workers should be prioritised, but migrants should be given rights and help to integrate. The following morning, participants considered why it can be difficult to fill some jobs with British workers, using fruit picking as an example. Some argued that unemployed people should be encouraged to take up such work, while others raised concerns about the impact on wellbeing and food budgets.
Kim, who used to work for a charity, said he saw British families struggling to get housing and wanted to know which benefits migrant workers are entitled to. Eden felt the NHS in particular needs immigrants and asked how we show them a welcome.
The assembly was described as a rare exercise in citizens' democracy, with participants saying that having the facts in front of them and taking time to listen to those they might not always agree with helped to detoxify the debate. One participant said, "I think we agree on is that the government needs to prioritise the workforce that's already within the UK." Another noted that being able to speak with people who have different opinions in a respectful and safe way was valuable.
The consensus reached by the assembly is likely to inform the Home Affairs Select Committee's work on immigration policy.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 4 |
|---|---|
| A citizens' assembly reached a consensus to prioritise British workers while treating migrants with dignity. | |
| A UK work visa typically requires a sponsor. | |
| Migrants are required to pay an NHS charge of about £1,000 per year for each year of their visa. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Channel 4's coverage focused on the process of the citizens' assembly, highlighting the diverse participants and the consensus reached. It gave a detailed account of the discussions, including personal stories from participants like Kim and Eden, and emphasised the balance between prioritising British workers and treating migrants with dignity. The tone was neutral and informative, with a focus on the democratic exercise.
- “Their answer put the needs of British workers first, but treat migrants with dignity and respect.”
- “I think we agree on is that the government needs to prioritise the workforce that's already within the UK.”
- “We want to attract highly skilled workers. When they arrive here, how are we showing them a welcome?”
Broadcast Timeline
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