Scottish Government

Census, ONS

The Census is decennial, with the latest in April 2001. It identifies migrants, through country of birth, and those who migrated in within the previous year (through place of residence one year previous to the Census).

It collects personal data (age, health, ethnicity, marital status, religion), as well as information on qualifications, economic activity (including hours, industry and occupation), whether they are an unpaid carer, housing and household composition.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/topics.asp
http://www.ccsr.ac.uk/sars/guide/introduction/

Home Office Immigration and Work permit data

The Home Office holds administrative data on those subject to immigration control. The main categories of relevance ¹⁰ are: asylum seekers, work permits and the Workers Registration Scheme (see below).

Asylum seekers are recorded on application for asylum (nationality, gender and age). The National Asylum Support service records data on those awaiting decision who qualify for support (number of asylum applicants in receipt of support, nationality, gender, age and location). However, not all asylum seekers take up support (Rees and Boden, 2006; Home Office, 2008; http://scienceandresearch.homeoffice.gov.uk/ (Asylum Statistics for the UK))

Work permit data records location of employment and not residence. It is unclear what data will be produced following changes in the work permit regime.

These data exclude European Economic Area citizens who are not subject to immigration control ( i.e. all citizens of Norway, Iceland and Switzerland and of pre-2004 EU member states. Citizens of post-2004 EU member states are not subject to immigration control, and so are excluded, unless they are employees).

International Passenger Survey ( IPS)

The IPS is a survey of passengers arriving and leaving the UK. The IPS is the only dataset which measures out migration as well as in migration (Rees and Boden, 2006). In-migrants (as opposed to visitors) are identified by their stated intended length of stay. Bands identified include less than three months, three to six months, six to twelve months and more than twelve months.

The data collected includes country of previous residence, country of birth, nationality, destination in the UK (town), expenditure, purpose of visit (including work, study, joining a partner or family), intended length of stay, age group, gender, occupation, dependents, year and quarter of visit. Not all variables are reported for Scotland. ( http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Source.asp?vlnk=348&More=Y; Rees and Boden, 2006)

The migrant sample size exceeds 2,000 pa ( ONS, 2003). However, for Scotland, the IPS sample is small, particularly for Scottish migrants (approximately 100 survey contacts during 2004) and estimates derived from the IPS are therefore less reliable than UK-level estimates - particularly as regards country of origin/destination and age of migrants. http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files1/stats/high-level-summary-of-statistics-population-and-migration/j926014.htm Some flows between the UK and Ireland are omitted. Passengers who, on entry, intend to stay for a short period and then decide to stay longer are not captured as migrants.

Mid-year population estimates ( GROS)

Mid-year population estimates and estimates of migration are estimated annually by GROS. Migration is derived from three key sources of data: the National Health Service Central Register, the Community Health Index and Total International Migration ( TIM, see below).

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/press/2006-news/scotlands-population-rises-for-third-year-in-a-row.html
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files1/stats/05mype-cahb-booklet-revised.pdf

National Insurance Number ( NINo) registrations

To work legally in the UK (both as an employee or self-employed) and to claim benefits/tax credits a person requires a National Insurance Number ( NINo) issued by the DWP).

Data records the flow of registrations (not the stock), providing country of origin, gender, age, location of residence (local authority) and receipt of out-of-work benefits ( DWP, 2008). Figures reported are the registration date on the National Insurance Recording System ( NIRS). This may take several weeks from applying for the NINo.

The data captures all migrants who work legally, irrespective of length of stay in the UK. It therefore includes migrants staying less than one month. However, also captures those who claim benefits and any others who apply for a NINo but do not work ( e.g. people intending to work). Thus some national insurance numbers are allocated but never used. It also excludes many migrants, i.e. those who do not apply for a NINo. These include students who do not take paid employment, dependents of NINo applicants who do not intened to work and returning UK nationals who already have a NINo ( ONS, 2007).

NHS Central Register ( NHSCR)

The NHS Central Register ( NHSCR) holds data on all people registered with a GP in Scotland. Migrants from outside the UK are identified through information collected at the time of registration with a GP. As part of a recent upgrade to the system, place of birth is included but this is only routinely collected for new births, although there are plans to populate for patients born in Scotland (as identified through the NHS birth number).

The sample only includes migrants who register with a GP, i.e. those requiring access to the NHS through a GP and those choosing to register with a GP, irrespective of medical needs. Registration is available for those staying in the UK for longer than 3 months and so the dataset includes some visitors. Out-migration overseas is not captured other than in situations when patients inform their GP. Out migration to the rest of the UK is identified when the patient registers with a GP in their country of destination within the UK. Because registration varies across groups, the data is not representative of migrants, e.g. young men are less likely to register with a doctor.

The data collected is very limited ( e.g. date of birth, gender, health board of residence with history of moves between health boards, date of registration with health board). The dataset has recently been improved through the addition of place of birth, mother's surname, postcode of residence. The dataset does not identify date of entry to Scotland (or the UK) as opposed to date of registration with a GP. However, through the inclusion of previous Health Board (or Health Authority in the rest of the UK) it can provide information on the mobility of migrants within Scotland and between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/national-health-service-central-register/about-the-register/what-information-is-held-on-the-register.html

Community Health Index ( CHI)

The Community Health Index records new registrations with a GP. This is managed by the Practitioner Services Division of the NHS in Scotland and transfers information to and from NHSCR, so it includes similar populations. An extract from the CHI is currently used as the source of migration within Scotland at the postcode level, and is combined with information on health board moves provided by NHSCR.

The CHI suffers from the same bias as the NHSCR (see above), due to capturing only those who register with a GP and not recording out-migration. In addition, returning Scots and other British who have resided outside the UK for three months or more will be identified as migrants, although the latter will only occur if the patient has registered with their GP as an embarkation when they leave the UK.

The data relevant to migration which is held on the CHI is very limited ( e.g. age, gender, address and full postcode; health authority for migrants from England and Wales; migrant flag for patients moving in from overseas). Country of origin is not routinely collected.

Total International Migration ( TIM)

Total International Migration ( TIM), i.e. immigration and emigration flows, estimates are published annually for Scotland as a whole. Both mid-year and calendar year estimates are provided. Data includes: age, gender, marital status, citizenship, country of birth, last/next country of residence, reason for visit, usual occupation, whether an asylum seeker and length of stay.

Estimates are calculated by ONS using a range of data: IPS, including those who switch from visitor to migrant; Home Office data on asylum seekers and their dependents; Home Office data on non- EEA citizens (to estimate those switching from migrant to visitor status); and Irish CSO estimates on migration flows between the UK and Ireland (using the LFS) (Rees and Boden, 2006). TIM

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Analysis.asp?vlnk=61&More=Y

Worker Registration Scheme ( WRS) administrative data

Until May 2009, individuals from the A8 countries (those which joined the EU in May 2004, excluding Cyprus and Malta) who work in the UK for more than one month as employees are required to register under the Workers Registration Scheme ( WRS) for their first year of employment ( ONS, 2007). From 1 May 2009, the scheme will be discontinued and so will no longer provide a source of data on A8 migrants.

The WRS excludes A8 migrants who are self-employed (who are exempt from registration). For employees, it overestimates the stock, as out-migrants are not recorded. In addition, dependents of those registering are also recorded and so may be double counted if they are employees and so register in respect of their own employment.

Data includes gender, age, place of work and of residence, industry and occupation, nationality. However, date of migration (as opposed to registration) is not recorded. Moreover, work location and industry may be misleading as many WRS migrants are registered to work with employment agencies ( ONS, 2007). The DWP and WRS figures do not record when any individual moves around the country or leaves it, so arrival figures cannot be treated as cumulative, even within one year (Audit Commission, 2007).

The Home Office produces the quarterly 'Accession Monitoring Report': http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/reports/accession_monitoring_report/

Labour Force Survey

The Labour Force Survey collects a very wide range of information on individuals and their employment, including personal and household data, extensive economic activity data and qualifications. Migrants may be identified, including their country of birth, date of entry to the UK, nationality and national identity. The LFS has a longitudinal element, covering five consecutive quarters.

The LFS's immigrant sample size for Scotland is around 500, about half of whom entered the UK in the previous ten years (based on our analysis). Sub-national analysis is thus highly restricted due to sample size. Aggregation of data over several years can be used to increase the sample size. However, this reduces timeliness and the ability to identify change.

Further Education Statistics (Scottish Funding Council)

The Scottish Funding Council ( SFC) collects administrative data on all students in Further Education Institutions in Scotland. 'Migrants' are identified in terms of country of domicile prior to their course, i.e. students who migrated to the UK prior to becoming a student may not be identified as migrants. Collects data on personal characteristics, course, including subject, level and institution.

http://www.sfc.ac.uk/statistics/stats_fe_info.htm

Higher Education Student Records ( HESA)

The Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA) collects administrative data on all students in Higher Education Institutions in the UK. 'Migrants' are identified in terms of nationality and country of permanent domicile, i.e. students who migrated to the UK prior to becoming a student may not be identified. Data collected includes personal characteristics, course, (including subject, level and institution) and destination six months after graduation.

http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php/component/option,com_studrec/task,show_file/Itemid,233/mnl,07051/href,a/index.html/

In addition, HESA has conducted a longitudinal survey of Higher Education leavers' destinations (the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education ( DLHE) Longitudinal Survey), which covers EU students. However, the total number of non- UK domiciled students was 835, resulting in too small a sample for Scottish analysis. (National Centre for Social Research, 2007)

Pupil Census/ Independent School Census

There are two censuses for school pupils: the Pupil Census for publicly funded schools and Independent School Census for other schools.

The Pupil Census data used to identify the pupil's main language spoken at home and this was used as a proxy for pupils coming from a migrant family (Scottish Government, 2008e). However, this is now only collected at a school (and not individual) level. Migrants can now only be identified by whether they receive English as an Additional Language support, which is liable to underestimate migrant status. Asylum seekers and refugees are also identified. Other data collected includes national identity, ethnicity, age, gender, and school attended.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/02/27083941/2

The Independent School Census is more limited, but also identifies whether a pupil receives English as an Additional Language support.

However, the usefulness of English as an Additional Language support is questionable: no instances were reported in the Independent School Census and it will not identify migrants form English-speaking countries. GROS is currently investigating other ways the Schools Census may identify migrants.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/29101007/0

Integrated Household Survey

The Integrated Household Survey integrates the Labour Force Survey and associated boosts, the General Household Survey, the Expenditure and Food Survey, the Omnibus Survey and the English Housing Survey. It is being introduced in phases and started in January 2008.

Migrants are identified by country of birth. Their date of first entry to the UK, whether they have lived continuously in the UK since first entry and, if not, their most recent date of entry are collected. The core questionnaire also includes: nationality, national identity, ethnicity, religion, mobility in previous year, health, income, economic activity, qualifications.

http://www.esds.ac.uk/Government/cps/

Language Line services

Few crime data indicate immigration status. Some indication of victimisation for some migrant groups (those without English language fluency) can be derived from the police Language Line services, based on the demand for telephone interpreting from the police forces of the UK (Audit Commission, 2007). Otherwise data is held on the number of foreign nationals in prisons. However, the latter will include non-migrants as well as migrants.

Scottish Social Attitudes ( SSA)

The Scottish Social Attitudes ( SSA) survey has been conducted annually since 1999. The questionnaires vary each year. In 2006, it included a question on attitudes towards Eastern European migrants (whether they were taking Scottish people's jobs). With a sample size of around 1,600 adults it allows disaggregation, including geographical.