A new research paper by King’s College London has analysed the effect of the Brexit Referendum results on the subjective wellbeing of immigrants living in the UK.
The EU referendum was a controversial decision and continues to represent a major divide in British society and policy. Research on the impact of Brexit on wellbeing in the UK has found that on average there has been deterioration in subjective wellbeing in subgroups in the UK population.
Research to date has provided a partial picture of the effect of Brexit on individual wellbeing and this new paper adds to our understanding by looking specifically at the impact on immigrant groups.
Using data from Understanding Society, the new analysis shows that on average the subjective wellbeing of immigrants, measured by mental health and life satisfaction, improved after the EU Referendum. When looking in more detail at different immigrant groups, the effect was pronounced for Non-EU immigrants, particularly those who arrived in the UK in the last decade or so.
The results are consistent with the idea that the EU Referendum result alleviated the sense of unfairness, frustration and discrimination that Non-EU migrants experienced, particularly following the tougher restrictions that the UK Government has imposed since 2010 on Non-EU immigrants with the aim of reducing net immigration in the UK to ‘tens of thousands’. Ending freedom of movement in January 2021 will mean that EU and Non-EU citizens wishing to move to the UK will be treated in the same way
The researchers said, “This general improvement in subjective wellbeing experienced by Non-EU respondents may capture the sense of relieve for Non-EU immigrants who often see the process of entering the UK life and UK labour market discriminatory and in favour of EU migrants who are seen as they can ‘just walk in’.
Ethnicity and immigrationHealth and wellbeing
