As a result of the Chinese Government's imposition of new ‘national security’ laws and the British Governments policy shift on BN(O) visas, many people are choosing to emigrate to the UK from Hong Kong.
As a result of the Chinese Government's imposition of new ‘national security’ laws and the British Governments policy shift on BN(O) visas, many people are choosing to emigrate to the UK from Hong Kong. The Home Office predicts that as many as 300,000 Hongkongers may choose to relocate to Britain with many choosing to settle in <location> and elsewhere across <region>. This council recognises and welcomes the enormous contribution that immigrants of all nationalities and backgrounds have made to British life. The historical, political and economic factors currently surrounding democratic freedoms in Hong Kong make the decision to emigrate particularly stressful for many Hongkongers. There are several considerations and measures that local authorities can take to extend the warmest possible welcome to everyone who decides to make the journey to the UK.
This council notes:
- That the Home Office figure of 300,000 migrants from Hong Kong is an estimation for the next five years and that – with around 70 per cent of the population of Hong Kong being eligible for BN(O) status – that number may rise considerably.
- The ‘Coming for Hope’ report published by ‘Hongkongers in Britain’, which indicates the following:
- That the mean age of applicants is 37 and that 71 per cent of applicants hold a university degree
- That 16 per cent of those surveyed say they cannot afford the cost of living for the first 6 months after arriving in the UK.
- That, of those surveyed, 73 per cent expect to have difficulty finding accommodation, 57 per cent are concerned about living costs and 48 per cent are anxious about finding employment.
- That 96 per cent of respondents felt that Hong Kong was no longer a ‘safe and free home.’
- The Home Office estimates suggest a net benefit to government finances of between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over five years as a result of the arrival of highly skilled migrants from Hong Kong.
- This council also notes the advice and guidance that is available through the governments ‘Hong Kong UK Welcome Programme’.
This council welcomes:
- The provision of up to £2,720 per BN(O) household for destitution support for which councils are to apply for funding for
- The governments commitment to set up 12 new ‘Welcome Hubs’ across the UK, which are located in the 12 regional Strategic Migration Partnerships of which <X> is our nearest one, to support the settlement of BN(O) holders.
- These brave new residents from Hong Kong who have taken the huge step and commitment to make their homes on the other side of the world and welcome them to our community
This council resolves to:
(For upper tier authorities)
- Monitor the intake of Hong Kong children into <county's> schools and allocate additional resources for ‘English as a Second Language’ and PSHE to aid with integration.
- Assist parents of children with special educational needs by providing information on the ‘SEN Local Offer’ and Educational Health Care Plans in Cantonese through the council website.
- Apply for funding from central government to address these actions
(For lower tier)
- Request that the <upper tier council> monitor the intake of Hong Kong children into <county's> schools and allocate additional resources for ‘English as a Second Language’ and PSHE to aid with integration.
- Request that the <upper tier council> assist parents of children with special educational needs by providing information on the ‘SEN Local Offer’ and Educational Health Care Plans in Cantonese through the council website.
- Request that the <upper tier council > Apply for funding from central government to address these actions
- Work with local Hong Kong groups or East and South East Asian groups which can be signposted to via the regional welcome hubs to better understand the needs of the new Hong Kong community and where possible to gather data to support this
- Produce a leaflet in Traditional Chinese to outline the services of the Council for new arrivals
- Review grant funding applications for partner organisations to deliver advice to new Hong Kong arrivals, for example with Citizens Advice Bureau or with with local Hong Kong groups or East and South East Asian groups which can be signposted to via the regional welcome hubs with a history of providing Welfare and Benefit advice
- Some councils may have grant funding to CAB and other community organisations, can add to this or a standalone initiative)
- Ensure a cabinet member/committee is given responsibility for the oversight of this motion and recommend further steps to ensure this is an ongoing piece of work to help integrate the newly arrived Hong Kong residents to our community.