Barrow Cadbury Trust supports fringe events on migration and the recession at the 2009 party conferences.

04/09/09

The debate about immigration during the recession is fraught with tension and complexity. As the elections approach and unemployment rises, there is a critical need to explore constructive political responses to this divisive issue.

For this reason, the Barrow Cadbury Trust is supporting fringe events at the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour party conferences in partnership with the Work Foundation and Centre Forum. Further details are as follows:

Centre Forum: Liberal Democrat Conference

British jobs for foreign workers? Migration in a recession

Saturday 19 September, 13.00-14.00
Dorchester 1, Highcliff Marriot, Bournemouth
Speakers: Chris Huhne MP; Bridget Anderson, COMPAS, University of Oxford; Keith Best, Immigration Advisory Service. Chair: Alasdair Murray, Centre Forum.

The Work Foundation: Labour and Conservative party conferences

What British Jobs for Which British Workers?

The credit crunch has resulted in job losses across the UK and threatens a return to mass unemployment. Evidence of the positive contribution made by migrant workers to the UK clearly exists, but opponents of migration feel their position has been strengthened by the recession as they accuse migrant workers of taking jobs and services away from ‘local’ ‘British’ people. Migration has become a highly charged debate and risks becoming a political and cultural tinderbox. What should the political response be?

Labour Party Conference: Sunday 27 September, 19.00 – 20.15
Tudor Suite, The Old Ship Hotel, Brighton
Speakers include: Phil Woolas MP and Will Hutton, The Work Foundation.

Conservative Party Conference: Tuesday 6 October, 17.45 – 19.00
The Midland Hotel, Manchester
Speakers include: Damian Green MP; Richard Lambert, CBI; Will Hutton, The Work Foundation; Ruth Grove-White, Migrants Rights’ Network.

For further information please see:

Centre Forum

The Work Foundation