Oldham, a town in the UK, has long been familiar with the impacts of immigration, which has significantly shaped its community. Between the last two Census surveys conducted in 2011 and 2021, Oldham has experienced a population increase faster than the national average. Currently, nearly 18% of its residents were born outside the UK. This demographic change raises questions about Prime Minister's recent warning that without reducing immigration, the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers."
On Yorkshire Street, a vital artery through Oldham's town center, we encountered two men named John who have been repairing roads in the area for over 50 years. They express support for the government's commitment to reducing migration. The younger John believes the town is overwhelmed, citing difficulties in accessing healthcare and housing. "You can't get doctors or dentists," he says. "And housing for young people, you can't get on the market." He attributes these issues to the sheer number of people in the town. However, the older John acknowledges the necessity of overseas labor for the country's functioning. He wonders about the future, saying, "In another 10, 15 years, it's going to be a different place completely, isn't it?"
Concerns about immigration aren't limited to those born locally. Hussein, who immigrated from Pakistan 40 years ago and now runs a successful mobile phone shop at Tommyfield indoor market, shares his frustrations. He voted for Brexit in 2016 and has written to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner about his concerns regarding rising immigration. "We are already short of jobs," he explains. Hussein worries about the impact on local professionals, fearing that competition from abroad will harm the working class.
Meanwhile, on the bustling Yorkshire Street, Michelle Delaney stands in the doorway of her charity, Project Pearl. She points out the transformation of the street, where pubs have turned into takeaways and a mix of Eastern European and Middle Eastern businesses. However, her primary concern lies elsewhere: staffing for care homes and hospitals. Michelle worries about the availability of nurses, doctors, and carers essential for community health. "What will we do if we haven't got the nurses, and the doctors, the carers?" she asks, recalling the care her mother and husband received when they were ill. "How will we manage?"
This concern extends to Pennine Social Care on Union Street. Directors Violet Gutu and Elliot Sparks face uncertainty regarding how they will continue to provide care. Violet notes that foreign workers make up 99% of their workforce. Despite efforts to recruit locally, they often fall short. From their vibrant offices, the agency supports individuals with disabilities and mental health crises, offering caregiving and training. Without their services, vulnerable individuals would struggle significantly. "The effects could be quite catastrophic," Violet warns.
Elliot highlights the reliance on dedicated staff who have left their lives and families behind to care for vulnerable people in the UK. Violet, originally from Zimbabwe, has been in the UK for over two decades. She becomes emotional when discussing her staff's contributions, lamenting the lack of appreciation immigrants often receive. "So long as you're an immigrant, there's no appreciation for you whatsoever. There's always backlash," she says.
The government faces the challenge of addressing public concerns about immigration while ensuring that essential public services remain unaffected. Balancing these priorities is crucial to maintaining social stability and the well-being of communities like Oldham.