UK and Netherlands ‘Become Less Migrant-Friendly’

Migrants are rescued by crew from HMS Bulwark of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean
REUTERS/L(Phot) Jay Allen/Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright/Handout

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Britain and the Netherlands have become less friendly places for migrants due to the impact of far-right parties and austerity measures, with both countries falling out of the top 10 in an index released on Tuesday.

The index comparing integration policies in 38 countries comes at a highly sensitive time for Europe as governments clash over how to share out tens of thousands of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.

Sweden was the best country for integration, followed by Portugal and New Zealand, according to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) 2015. The biggest climber was Denmark while Turkey came bottom of the table.

Researchers looked at barriers faced by legal migrants in employment, education, health, political participation, acquiring permanent residence, accessing nationality, reuniting families and anti-discrimination efforts.

Although Britain has some of the strongest anti-discrimination laws, it is now the hardest place in the developed world for separated families to reunite, researchers said. The route to citizenship is also one of the most expensive.

Read more at Reuters

 

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