Foreign-born in the North West

A new study shows that a higher percentage of foreign-born in the North West are married or in civil partnerships compared with their UK-born counterparts. Also, the elementary occupations group (such as farm workers and labourers) is the largest employment group for the foreign-born population in the North West.  These figures are set out in a study released by the Office for National Statistics, Regional Characteristics of foreign-born people living in the United Kingdom. The study covers all 9 English regions as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The foreign-born population makes up 7% of the total population in the North West (approximately 500,000 people) in 2009, and 7% of the total foreign-born population in the UK.

There are sizeable differences between the age distribution of the foreign born and the UK born populations in the North West. The largest percentage of the foreign-born population in the North West is in the 30 to 44 year old age group (30%). In contrast, the largest percentage of the UK born population in the region is the 45 to 64 year old age group (26%). There is also a notable difference between foreign and UK born population percentages in the 0 to 15 year old age group. Only 9% of the foreign born population fall within this category, compared with 20% of the UK born population.

In the North West, a larger percentage of the foreign-born population are married or in a civil partnership (53%) than are single (34%) in 2009. This differs from the marital status of the UK-born population, who are more likely to be single (47%) than married or in a civil partnership (39%).

In 2009, the largest percentage of the foreign-born population in the North West are of White ethnic origin (42%), followed by Asian ethnic origin (33%). The ethnic background of the UK-born population in the North West is typically White (95%), with a small percentage of the UK-born having an Asian ethnic background (3%).

The most common religion found among the foreign-born population of the North West is Christianity (47%). Muslims account for 34% of foreign-born people in the North West. For other categories, there are also notable no religion (10%) and Hindu (4%) foreign born populations.

The most common religion among the UK born population in the North West is also Christianity (79%). 16% of the UK born population in the North West have no religion, while a small percentage are Muslim (3%).

Of those in employment, people who are not born in the UK are most likely to be employed in elementary occupations, such as labourers (21%). UK-born people are most likely to be in management and senior official occupations (15%) and associate professional and technician occupations (14%). 

The net median wage of the foreign born population in the North West is less than that for the UK born population in the region.

For foreign born people, the median wage is £230 per week, compared with a median wage of £269 per week for those born in the UK.

The earnings of the foreign born population also differs by country of origin. Those from the EU26 nations have higher earnings, at £231 per week, than those from the rest of the world at approximately £219 per week.

Fewer foreign-born than UK-born people in the North West hold some type of qualification; 80% of those born in the UK hold some type of qualification, compared with 74% of the foreign born population. The percentage of the foreign born population with a degree is 22%. This is similar to the percentage of the UK born population with a degree (23%).

Regional Characteristics of foreign born people living in the United Kingdom can be found online.

European Parliament Backing for End to Unfair Bank Charges

EURO MPs backed key amendments to a new law on Consumer Rights that would end the scandal of unfair bank charges and other abuses of consumers.   Consumer Champion and former Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee Arlene McCarthy MEP submitted the amendments, adopted today by the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, to outlaw unfair charges and sharp practices like car rental rip-offs, and to strengthen consumers' rights to return faulty goods.   Arlene said:- “For too long banks have got away with unfair and disproportionate charges for consumers who go a little over their overdraft limit.  The British courts have already called these charges unfair but said they cannot act without a change in European law. I welcome today's backing for my amendments that will ensure fines must be fair, just like any other conditions hidden in the small print."   The amendments also put hidden extra costs on a so called 'grey list' of practices that should be considered unfair and increased consumers' rights when returning faulty goods. Arlene said:- “We have all experienced those hidden extras in a contract that we didn’t anticipate when we purchased a good or service. I have had a number of constituents write to me directly about such charges, particularly related to car hire.  My amendments will ensure that consumers don’t have to fear being ripped off. I am sure that most reputable business will agree that for them confident consumers who feel secure in their purchases are better for business!”

Parents and carers of terminally ill children can take part in free workshops

THERE are over 23,500 children and young people in the UK who have been diagnosed with a health condition for which there is no cure. Some of these conditions require a large amount of supportive and nursing care, which is often provided by parents or carers. It is widely accepted the best place to care for children, especially if they have complex continuing healthcare needs, is in their own homes.

Edge Hill University in partnership with Derian House Children’s Hospice have been successful in securing funding from the Department of Health for an innovative project delivering a series of free workshops for parents and carers.

The first will take place on Saturday 29 January. The workshops aim to provide parents and carers with opportunities to either update or develop new skills in areas such as tracheostomy care, gastrostomy feeding, manual handling, practical skills, basic life support, oxygen therapy and general care. In addition, there will be opportunities to meet other families and talk to professionals. One workshop on Saturday 16 April has even been especially reserved for brothers and sisters who are aged between 12 to 16 years.

The workshops will be held in the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre at Edge Hill University’s Faculty of Health, who are one of the main providers of education for health and social care staff in the north-west, training over 4,000 professionals a year. This innovative facility can replicate either a hospital or home environment and has a family of computerised manikins who can be programmed to do a range of things: breathe, choke, have a pulse and cry just like patients and have a whole range of procedures practiced on them, providing a safe environment to learn and practice new skills

Anita Flynn, the University’s Associate Head Children's Health, said:- “We are delighted to be able to offer these workshops to families and carers looking after children and young people with health needs. Parents and carers will have opportunities to meet other families, learn new, or update their skills and have a chance to talk to professionals who specialise in the areas of palliative care, tracheostomy care and gastrostromy feeding. I’d urge families and carers to attend if they can.”  To register your interest and for more information about the workshops, email or call:- 01695 650715.